Bhopal gas tragedy: People demand clean-up

Bhopal, Dec 3: Observing the 25th anniversary of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, people marched through the city with torches before dawn on Thursday, Dec 3, demanding cleanup of toxic chemicals that still contaminate the soil and water here.

Hundreds of protesters shouted slogans like "Down with the government," and "Down with Union Carbide," marching towards the plant which became the site for one of the worst industrial accidents.

On Dec 3, 1984, Union Carbide pesticide plant released methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas killing over 15,000 people. However, local activists stress that the real death toll would be almost twice the government estimate.

Even after 25 years, toxins and chemical cocktails lace the drinking water in the city while children are born with birth defects such as brain damage, cleft lips, missing palates and twisted limbs.

And people of the country continue to be disgruntled over how government handled the victims of the tragedy and the case against Union Carbide.

OneIndia News