Bhopal Gas Peedit Sangharsh Sahayog Samiti has alleged that the construction of a memorial to the gas victims in the premises of the Union Carbide factory is an attempt to distract attention from the main issues.
While talking to the media persons here on Tuesday, Samiti’s Convener Sadhana Karnik Pradhan alleged that the state government is constructing a cement-concrete memorial instead of supporting the gas victims of the city. The gas victims are being deprived of the proper compensations, employment and treatment.
Notably, Madhya Pradesh government had announced to build a Hiroshima-like memorial for Bhopal gas tragedy victims inside the premises of the defunct Union Carbide factory on October 16. Minister of State for Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Vishwas Sarang has announced that the memorial would be constructed at a cost of Rs 180 crore.
Pradhan stated that the government is neglecting the condition and the pain of the gas victims and distracting the people from the main issues. Minister Vishwas Sarang has mocked the science by saying that the soil of the Union Carbide factory is pollution free. The state government has announced Rs 180 crore for the memorial but it has no money for the compensation of the gas victims.
Pradhan further added that the land near the carbide factory has various toxic elements, which are also contaminating the underground water. There are many cases against the company in the Supreme Court, High court and in District Court.
Central bureau of investigation has sealed the premises of the union carbide factory. The construction of the memorial will destroy the evidences of the cases.