Gas Tragedy: Massive protest outside CM's residence

Bhopal, Mar 3 (UNI) Nine people were arrested this afternoon after hundreds of women, led by various organisations supporting a four-point charter of demands by Bhopal Gas Tragedy victims, staged a demonstration in front of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's residence.

The protesters, who reached the place in two vehicles, were adamant about meeting Mr Chouhan, squatted on the road and shouted slogans.

''The arrests were executed as the women were in a prohibited area. Those apprehended included the Bhopal Group for Information and Action's Rachna Dhingra, Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Udyog Sangathan's Rasheeda Bi, Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmachari Sangh's Farida Bi and Shahzadi Bi. They were attempting to force their way in,'' said Superintendent of Police Anant Kumar Singh.

Meanwhile, Ms Dhingra said that the demonstrators draped shrouds around themselves after their demands were not met. ''For a long time, the women were seeking a meeting with the Chief Minister as they wished to discuss the problems of Gas Tragedy-affected areas.

Several women and their family members are staging a sit-in at Tin Shed locality for more than a week.'' The charter of demands included making arrangements for medical treatment of victims, providing jobs, ensuring rehabilitation, supplying pure water and disposing of chemical waste accumulated in the now-clsed Union Carbide factory premises.

Ms Dhingra announced that she would observe a 'Black Holi' tomorrow in protest against police excesses and added that five women would begin an indefinite strike from March 5.

UNI