Bhopal tragedy: Lokayat says sentence not enough

Lokayat,which carried out several protest rallies in the city against the government’s apathy towards the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy has denounced the judgement. Neeraj Jain of Lokayat,a member of the international campaign for justice in Bhopal said that the judgment was a mockery of the victims of the industrial disaster.

The leaders of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy Survivors organisations,together with the ICJB,are studying the judgement of the court. “We plan to mount pressure on the CBI to file a revision petition in the High Court demanding enhanced sentences for the Carbide officials,and are also going to put pressure on the government to see that the CBI files this case and seriously pursue it. For this,we plan to intensify the global campaign for justice for the victims of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy,and even organise big protests all over the country,”said Jain.

Jain said,the accident had left 25,000 dead so far and over 1 lakh sick with severely impaired lungs,eyes,reproductive and immune systems,and mental health but the company’s Indian officials have only been sentenced to a mere two years in jail and a nominal fine.

“They have immediately got bail,and in all probability will never go to jail. Such minor sentence,is totally inappropiate,” said Jain.