December 5, 1997
13th Anniversary of Bhopal Disaster
On the 13th anniversary of the Bhopal disaster (December 2-
3), survivors called attention to the ongoing plight of the
victims of the tragedy. The Bhopal Group for Information
(BGIA) and Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Udhyog Sangathan (BGPMUS)
-- organizations that represent Bhopal victims -- issued an
"Appeal for Solidarity" that calls for the Indian government
to step up its prosecution of Union Carbide officials and
ensure that adequate health care and other services are
provided to Bhopal survivors.
As many as 10 to 15 people are dying every month from
diseases related to Bhopal chemical exposures and their
complications, and at least 50,000 people are no longer able
to work, according to the groups. They said that
approximately 150,000 survivors still suffer a range of
exposure-related symptoms including neurological disorders,
persistent coughing, fatigue and pain.
Meanwhile, the Indian government has been gradually ending
its financial support for health care, research and
monitoring of gas victims. BGPMUS and BGIA state that the
Ministry of Gas Relief, responsible for administering relief
and rehabilitation among Bhopal survivors, is being de-funded
and dismantled. In addition, the Madhya Pradesh state
government has begun transferring control of community
clinics to the Bhopal Hospital Trust, established with funds
from Union Carbide Corporation.
The factory responsible for the Union Carbide gas leak is
also being dismantled, and victims of the tragedy charge that
critical information may be lost. Information about the full
range of chemicals released in the leak has been limited, and
further disclosures could be vital for Bhopal victims.
According to one study, the lack of data has prevented
effective treatment and led to doctors prescribing hazardous
or unnecessary medications.
Eveready India Limited bought all of Union Carbide's Indian
assets in 1994, including the Bhopal plant that leaked methyl
isocyanate and other poisonous gases in 1984. Eveready India
officials said that the plant is a liability and must be sold
as scrap.
Since 1994, victims of the disaster have been campaigning to
prevent the new owners from "destroying vital evidence" --
evidence that could incriminate Union Carbide or help
victims. A district court ordered the removal process halted
when toxic chemicals leaked from storage tanks, but removal
resumed in May 1997.
By July 1997, workers had disassembled the napthol and
formulation plants. "This demolished the basic evidence in
the case," said Abdul Jabbar, an activist with BGPMUS. After
activists failed to stop the demolition through legal
channels, approximately 500 victims and supporters occupied
the plant on July 19, 1997. But the removal is continuing.
Meanwhile, research on the victims of Bhopal has been slow to
produce useful information. The Indian Council of Medical
Research (ICMR) started 25 projects in 1985 studying 80,000
Bhopal victims. By 1994, nine of the studies were completed,
but none of the data or conclusions have been released (the
government had discontinued the other 16). An official at
ICMR, which is controlled by the government, said the reports
"will be released in due time." Since some of these reports
may reveal the names of chemicals released in the 1984 leak,
their prompt disclosure could have important health
implications for Bhopal victims. According to Satinath
Sarangi of the Bhopal Group for Information and Action,
"Without knowing the chemicals that were emitted, you simply
can't prescribe an effective treatment."
BGIA and BGPMUS are urging citizens worldwide to write
letters in support of their demands to Indian government
officials. For a list of BGPMUS and BGIA's demands, and for
contact information for the appropriate officials, contact
PANNA.
Sources: Survivors' Appeal for Solidarity, November 8, 1997,
Bhopal Group for Information (BGIA) and Bhopal Gas Peedit
Mahila Udhyog Sangathan (BGPMUS). Down to Earth, November 15,
1997.
Contact: PANNA.
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