Awareness needed to prevent industrial disasters: Chouhan

Bhopal, Dec 3 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today stressed on the need for generating awareness among people to avoid industrial disasters such as the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, which took more than 15,000 lives and left several thousands maimed.

Mr Chouhan, while addressing an all-religion prayer meeting on the 22nd anniversary of the disaster said, especially the weaker sections fell prey to such incidents.

Asserting that industrial development should not be done at the cost of human lives and environment, he said though efforts were made for rehabilitation of gas victims, still much needed to be done.

Religious heads belonging to various religions participated in the meeting and prayed for the departed souls at Central Library's Barkatullah Bhavan here today.

Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Babulal Gaur, Finance Minister Raghavji, Bhopal Mayor Sunil Sood, MLA Arif Aqueel, Chief Secretary Rakesh Sahni, DGP A R Pawar and officials of various organisations and citizens were present.

UNI PS PK DB2054