Bhopal victims burn IOC prez in effigy

Bhopal, Feb 19 (IBNS) Five organizations of the survivors of the 1984 Union Carbide disaster in Bhopal on Sunday burnt an effigy of Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympics Committee to protest the apex body's recent declaration that Dow Chemical could not be held responsible for the lingering liabilities in Bhopal.

"An assessment by an agency that has received large sums of money from Dow Chemical cannot be impartial. IOC has exposed itself as a corrupt body that is willing to tarnish the spirit and name of the Games for the sake of money," said Rashida Bee, President of Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh.

Through purchase of Union Carbide in 2001, Dow Chemical has inherited the criminal, civil and environmental liabilities of Union Carbide, the organizations said.

"It is a fact that large quantities of toxic wastes remain strewn around the factory site in Bhopal. The Indian is also seeking compensation from Dow Chemical Company for the clean up of the toxic contamination in and around the abandoned Union Carbide´s factory," the victims said.

"Dow has sheltered Union Carbide and even facilitated the illegal sales of its products and services in India through a number of front companies," the organizations said.

"The IOC has neither the authority nor the competence to address the complex matters of criminal and civil allegations leveled against Union Carbide and Dow Chemical," said Balkrishna Namdeo of Bhopal Gas Peedit Nirashrit Pension Bhogi Sangarsh Morcha..

The survivors strongly criticized the role of the Indian government and the Indian Olympic Association.

"The Government and Indian Olympics Association must end the double-game they are playing, and react strongly to the open challenge issued to them by the IOC. It is time for LOCOG and IOC to be told that India will not take part in the London Olympics if it continues to be sponsored by a corporation responsible for continuing death and suffering in Bhopal," said Rachna Dhingra of Bhopal Group for Information & Action.

The survivors are appealing to the Indian Members of Parliament write to the Indian Government for boycott of Olympics and to the IOC condemning its decision.

"Rather than make statements condemning Dow Chemical, the Environment Minister can actually do something about cleaning up the toxic wastes and contaminated groundwater, and holding the company accountable," said Nawab Khan of Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangarsh Morcha.

Survivors will also be writing to the British High Commission in New Delhi seeking a meeting.

Neither London nor New Delhi has done enough to protect the good name of Olympics. Organisations representing the Bhopal survivors have said they will mobilise their supporters worldwide to mount coordinated protests against the Indian and British Governments.