Bhopal gas tragedy of neglect still gnaws our collective conscience: PM - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

On the eve of 25th anniversary of Bhopal gas tragedy, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that the enormity of the tragedy of neglect still gnaws at our collective conscience and those affected by the catastrophe deserve our continuing support and sympathy. The gas tragedy, which occurred at midnight on December 3, 1984, led to over 5,000 deaths and a lot more turning incapacitated for lifetime. "Twenty five years ago, the country woke up to a terrible tragedy in Bhopal. A lethal gas, Methyl Isocyanate (MIC), had leaked from the pesticide plant of Union Carbide India Ltd. at Bhopal into the atmosphere. The leakage resulted in over 5000 people losing their lives and many others being incapacitated permanently. The enormity of that tragedy of neglect still gnaws at our collective conscience," said Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh during a function in the national capital. Dr Singh said the families that suffered and lost their dear ones could never really be fully compensated. "However, the Government of India has implemented several measures to provide relief to the affected families, including socioeconomic and medical rehabilitation and improvement in their living conditions." However, Dr. Singh appreciated the civil society groups for their endeavour for justice and compensation to those who suffered in the tragic incident. "Here, I would also like to salute the civil society groups who have persisted in pursuing justice and compensation to those who suffered," said Dr. Singh. "Those affected by the catastrophe deserve our continuing support and sympathy. We owe it to our fellow citizens to put in place procedures and precautions to ensure that such a tragedy never occurs again," said Dr. Singh. Dr. Singh reaffirmed his government's commitment to resolve issues of safe drinking water, expeditious clean up of the site besides other outstanding issues related to tragedy. "I share the grief of those affected by this horrible incident. I reaffirm our Government's commitment to resolving issues of safe drinking water, expeditious clean up of the site, continuation of medical research, and any other outstanding issues connected with the Bhopal Gas Tragedy," said the Prime Minister.