Bhopal Gas victims to start indefinite hunger strike tomorrow

New Delhi, Apr 10 (UNI) Having failed to move the Government on their demands, a group of victims of the 1984 Bhopal Gas tragedy who had marched to Delhi last month today said they will start an indefinite hunger strike from tomorrow.

Six of those who trekked the 800 kms from Bhopal to Delhi will join the hunger strike, activists supporting the agitation said.

The announcement was made after a silent protest by dozens of Bhopal gas victims during which they lay on the ground covered in white shrouds, depicting the death that visited Bhopal in the shape of the country's worst industrial disaster two decades ago.

''Our demonstration is a reflection of reality. Those of us who are gas affected or living in the water contamination areas are the living dead. More and more people are suffering and dying every day because of the Government's apathy,'' said Shehzadi Bi, a 49 year-old from Blue Moon colony behind the Union Carbide plant where the mishap had occurred.

The protestors are demanding clean drinking water, cleanup of the contaminated site, a coordinating agency with power and finances to implement medical and economic rehabilitation programmes, curbs on Dow Chemicals' (of which Union carbide is a subsidiary now) business in India and speedy prosecution of the accused.

UNI VN MSJ VC2116