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Justice denied in Bhopal gas tragedy case

The editorial “Deterring Bhopal-like disasters: Warren Anderson must be called to account” (June 9) rightly represents the hurt sentiments of civil society after reading the court’s judgment with regard to the Bhopal tragedy. The right-thinking people have reacted in a similar way not only in India but also in every part of the world.

One is filled with deep pain and anguish when one notices that nothing has been done to punish Warren Anderson, Union Carbide Corporation chairman at the time its Indian subsidiary’s plant in Bhopal was the scene of a gas leakage. The judgment has come so late and has nothing to console the victims who were waiting for justice. It is not only justice delayed but also justice undelivered.

There is nothing in the judgment that may restore the faith of the Indian people that the heads of such volatile industrial plants will be deterred in future. The issue needs to be re-examined.

JAGDISH MITTER GANDHI, Gurgaon

DILBAG RAI, Chandigarh

III

The editorial highlighted the apathy and lack of sincerity towards the victims in the Union Carbide case. The verdict speaks volumes of the ineptness of successive governments. Had there been consistent and persistent efforts on the part of investigating agencies and the government, the result would have been quite different. Warren Anderson, who escaped India, escapes responsibility too.

In addition to thousands of deaths, lakhs have been maimed and yet no exemplary punishment to the errant and no proper compensation to the victims has been given.

Moreover no lessons have been learnt. Disaster management is not given any consideration in India. Ultimately it is the public that has to bear the brunt of a catastrophe.

GURNAM SINGH RATHORE, via e- mail

IV

The verdict of Bhopal gas tragedy has outraged and shocked the whole country (editorial, “Compensating victims”, June 11). We all know that the wheels of justice move at a snail’s pace in India. Certainly, there are flaws in the Indian judicial system that need to be corrected.

Victims of the tragedy have not been provided sufficient compensation. The need the hour is to provide adequate compensation to the sufferers. The Prime Minister’s decision to reconstitute the Group of Ministers headed by Home Minister P Chidambaram to examine issues relating to the tragedy is a step in the right direction.

ARVIND HASTIR, Gurdaspur

Tackle Maoist challenge In the article “Combating Maoist challenge” (June 11) Inder Malhotra has raised important points against the induction of military in insurgency-hit Chhattisgarh and adjoining states. Many new battalions of the CRPF were raised and equipped, involving huge expenditure, with the main purpose of fighting Maoists and left-wing extremists. One isolated incident should not undermine the effectiveness of the force. Some politicians and prominent citizens are siding with the Maoists sending wrong signals to the killers of innocent people. There should be a political consensus on how to tackle the threat to internal security. The government is powerful and resourceful enough and can develop the remote undeveloped areas. All it needs is strong will and determination. Inefficient and corrupt administrators must be removed and taken to task. The Maoist menace can be easily brought under control with a balanced policy. S C VAID, Greater Noida