Who cares? Socialists do
More than 25 years after the Bhopal gas tragedy, a local court on Monday found eight former senior officials of the Union Carbide company , including Keshub Mahindra, the former chairman of Union Carbide and current chairman of M&M automotive giant, guilty of criminal negligence. Absconding former chairman of Union Carbide Corporation Warren Anderson is among those convicted. Sentencing will be passed at a later date.
On the night between December 2 and 3, 1984, the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal released forty tonnes of a toxin called methyl isocyanate leaked from the factory and settled over slums on 3 December 1984. Campaigners say at least 15,000 people were killed within days, many others passed on the harmful effects of the gas to the next generations. The horrific effects of the gas continue to this day.
"Frankly speaking, I'm not expecting anything out of this judgment. They are treating the worst ever industrial disaster like a traffic accident. So, what can be expected? A maximum of two years imprisonment or may be they will get away by paying some fine..." says Satti Nath Sarangi, one of the activists fighting for the victims.
Three years after the gas leak, the CBI had filed a chargesheet against 12 accused, including Warren Anderson, the former chairman of Union Carbide Corporation, US. He was arrested, but later released on bail. The Central Bureau of Investigation has repeatedly failed to produce the former Union Carbide CEO and prime accused in the case Warren Anderson before the court. ( He lives in Bridgehampton, Long Island, New York and also own houses in Vero Beach, Florida and Greenwich, Connecticut so not too difficult to find and extradite )
In 1999 the Socialist Standard published an article "Remember Bhopal ! "
The victims of corporate murder will not be forgotten.
Initial deaths (3-6 December): more than 3,000 - official toll
Unofficial initial toll: 7,000-8,000
Total deaths to date: over 15,000
Number affected: Nearly 600,000
1 comment:
Update - Two years jail for each of the 8
Post a Comment