Bhopal survivors to oppose Dow Chemical investment in Bengal

Kolkata, Jun 05 (UNI) Organisations of survivors of the Bhopal gas disaster today flayed the West Bengal government for the reported offer to American multinational company Dow Chemical to invest in the proposed chemical hub in the state.

Resolving to stop Dow Chemical's investment anywhere in the country, the organisations said the company owned Union Carbide, responsible for the 1984 tragedy in which more than 22,000 people were killed following toxic exposure.

Addressing a press conference here, functionaries of Bhopal Group for Information and Action, Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmachari Sangh and Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha alleged that the 'corporate criminals' were behind the 'massacre' and continued misery of the people in Nandigram, Singur and Bhopal.

"In Bhopal it is the American multinational Dow Chemical Company.

On the other hand, the House of the Tatas is helping Dow Chemicals to escape its liabilities of poisoning of ground water and soil and destroying the health of over 25,000 people in Bhopal," they said.

Pointing out the after-effects of Bhopal Gas tragedy, the survivors' organisations said children have been born with defects, 25,000 people have been drinking toxic water, the breast milk of mothers contain some of the most toxic chemicals.

They said yesterday 21 members of the Bhopal survivor organisations, along with four members of Youth for Social change, Chennai and two members of PUCL, Tamil Nadu, visited two areas of Nandigram. The members met victims of firing, beating and alleged rape by West Bengal police and communist cadres.

"As owner of Union Carbide Corporation since 2001, Dow Chemical is liable for the poisoning of ground water, soil and causing health damages to over 25,000 people in Bhopal," they said.

The delegation alleged that Union Carbide Corporation, now a wholly owned subsidiary of Dow Chemical, faces charges of manslaughter, grievous assault and other serious offences related to the world's worst industrial disaster in Bhopal.

"The organisations' supporters in USA will protest the participation of state Industries Minister Nirupam Sen at the meeting of US-India Business Council in Washington DC on June 27, where he is expected to strike a deal with Dow Chemical Company regarding investment in West Bengal.

UNI