Two Bhopal Hunger Strikers Hospitalised

PRESS RELEASE

NEW DELHI (July 16, 2002) -- Two of the Bhopal hunger strikers, Rasheeda Bee and Tara Bai, fainted during a rally by the Bhopal survivors here and had to be taken to St. Stevens Hospital today. Both were in the 18th day of fasting to protest against decisions of the Government that sell out the interests of the Bhopal gas victims under pressure from the US Government and Dow Chemicals. Satinath (Sathyu) Sarangi (48) remains active and participated in the rally by Bhopal survivors in New Delhi today.

Nearly 400 survivors and their supporters from the city took out a rally to the Parliament Street today coinciding with the beginning of the monsoon session of the Parliament. They have reiterated their demand for extradition to and trial in India of Warren Anderson and representatives of Union Carbide for culpable homicide. They have also demanded the distribution of compensation money among survivors, and that the Government hold Dow liable for long-term and full rehabilitation of the survivors and the environment in Bhopal. The protestors have been assured by the opposition parties that they will raise the Bhopal issue in the parliament.

Both Rasheeda Bee and Tara Bai had been exposed to Union Carbides poison gas leak in Bhopal in December 1984. Rasheeda Bee (46) has lost five persons in her immediate family to cancer after the disaster, and herself suffers from diminished vision, and bouts of headache and panic because the long-term effects of the gas. Tara Bai (35) was three months pregnant at the time of the Union Carbide gas disaster. She miscarried as she tried to escape the toxic plume. Since then her menstruation has stopped, and she has been unable to conceive. Both are in the emergency ward, and reports on their condition will be posted on www.india.indymedia.org. Both have received less than $500 in compensation for lifelong health problems caused by the poison gases.

A meeting by a delegation of Bhopal activists, including Satinath Sarangi, met Minister of State for External Affairs Mr. Digivijay Singh (Samata Party). Mr. Singh said the decisions were taken before he took up the position, and could only assured the delegation that he would study the facts and take action.

In a significant turn of events, the Minister of Chemicals Mr. S.S. Dhindsa assured a delegation of Bhopal activists yesterday that the balance of compensation funds set aside for the survivors of the 1984 gas disaster in Bhopal will not be distributed among the 20 non-gas-affected wards. He also assured the survivors that their concerns and points of view would be placed before the Group of Ministers on Bhopal who would be meeting in 20 days time.

The Minister, however, wanted the expenses for the clean up of the contaminated factory site to be paid for from the survivors money and not by Dow Chemicals. Dow which has accepted Union Carbides asbestos related and other liabilities in the United States has so far refused to accept the pending liabilities of Union Carbide in Bhopal.

"The Indian Government has received clear instructions from its masters in Washington D.C. The Government has made it clear to us that if it comes to choosing between holding Dow/Carbide liable or punishing Warren Anderson, and deserting the Bhopal survivors, it will opt for the latter without batting an eyelid," said Rasheeda Bee of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmachari Sangh (Bhopal gas-affected Womens Stationery Workers Association). Rasheedas organisation is a trade union of women survivors who are fighting for the rights of Bhopal survivors to a dignified livelihood and justice for the sufferings after the disaster.

In another development, the Madhya Pradesh Government, is likely to file its objections to the dilution of charges against Warren Anderson, before the Chief Judicial Magistrates Court on the 17th July when the case comes up for hearing. The survivors' representatives and supporters would also be filing applications and rejoinders before the Chief Judicial Magistrate against CBI.

Supporters of the campaign for justice in Bhopal from around the world have severely criticised the Government of India for succumbing to US pressure, and more specifically for robbing the victims of the worlds worst industrial disaster of justice, health, jobs and a clean environment. Activists organised one-day hunger strikes and signature campaigns in Ramatuelle in France; Brighton, London, Gloucester, Reading and the Lake District in the United Kingdom; and Louisiana, Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, and New York in the United States.

In Venice, the mayor of the city -- also the vice-president of the Green Party -- is on a hunger strike in solidarity with the survivors since 14 July.

More than 700 faxes were sent by activists around the world through the www.corpwatchindia.org website to the Indian embassy in Washington D.C. since June 26.

Meanwhile, Diane Wilson -- of Seadrift, Texas, who lives near a Union Carbide (now Dow) facility -- has indicated that she too will go on an indefinite hunger strike in solidarity with the protesting survivors in New Delhi.

Survivors have decided to direct their strategies at targeting the United States Government, which has been instrumental in delaying justice in Bhopal to protect the interests of US multinationals, specifically Dow Chemical. "The Bush administrations imperialist policies stand exposed once again. They have openly pressured the Indian Government to dilute charges against Warren Anderson, who is accused of killing at least six times in Bhopal as many people in Bhopal as Bin Laden did in New York," said Balkrishna Namdeo of the Gas Peedit Nirashrit Morcha.

Today the survivors representatives also met with the Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr. Digvijay Singh, articulating their opposition to the two decisions of the Government and they sought his intervention.

Rasheeda Bee

Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmachari Sangh

Balkrishna Namdeo

Gas Peedit Nirashrit Morcha, Bhopal

Satinath Sarangi

Bhopal Group for Information & Action

On behalf of The National Campaign for Justice in Bhopal

B14, 2nd Floor, Gulmohar Park

New Delhi 110 049

Tel: 6514847 or 6561743

Email: Nity68@vsnl.com; admin@del3.vsnl.net.in

Visit: www.corpwatchindia.org, www.indiatogether.org

• 116 Human Rights