Bhopal survivors burn Anderson’s effigy

BHOPAL - Hundreds of survivors of the Bhopal gas tragedy 26 years ago burnt effigies of the then CEO of Union Carbide Warren Anderson here Thursday, demanding his arrest and higher compensation package for themselves.

On the night of Dec 2-3, 1984, 40 tonnes of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas leaked out from the now defunct Union Carbide plant in the heart of this city. At least 3,000 were killed instantly and an estimated 25,000 have lost their lives since then, making it the world’s worst industrial disaster.

The agitation was led by Balkrishan Namdeo of Bhopal Gas Peedit Nirashrit Pension Bhogi Sangharsh Morcha. Protesters also shouted slogans against Union Carbide and Dow Chemicals, which bought the former in 2001.

Several such protests are scheduled here Thursday and Friday, the 26th anniversary of the disaster.