Gas leak: MP govt announces inquiry

Bhopal, Oct 15 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh government today announced an inquiry into last night's gas leak in neighbouring Raisen district's Bhojpur area about 25 km from here, official sources said.

Principal Secretary (Environment and Housing) P D Meena is the investigating officer (IO) and will submit a report within a month.

The leak affected residents of Maindua, Nayapura and Keeratnagar villages. Victims complained of a burning sensation in the eyes and vomitting. Several villagers fled their homes.

The probe would identify the gas, its precise source, fix responsibility and ascertain the cause of death of Maindua-resident Shabbir's son Ashfaq (4).

Meanwhile, Raisen District Collector Arun Bhatt announced a magisterial inquiry and appointed Additional Collector S C Shukla as IO.

''More than 800 residents of six villages were examined today and 119 referred to Bhopal's J P Hospital. The situation is normal and eight teams-of the health department-are operating. No fatality has taken place,'' said Commissioner (Health) Rajesh Rajora.

The bureaucrat claimed that medical teams reached the affected area last night itself and treatment was initiated on 450 people.

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