Church welcomes Bhopal waste verdict

(Sept.29,2010) In central India’s Madhya Pradesh State, protestors, including priests and nuns have forced the government to stop a move to dispose toxic waste from the Bhopal gas tragedy site in their locality. The federal government agreed not to incinerate the waste in Pithampur, at the outskirts of Indore in Madhya Pradesh state. This decision was made by the Group of empowered Ministers (GoM) that met in New Delhi on Monday. Archbishop Leo Cornelio of Bhopal said it is a welcome step and a great relief, especially for those residing in and around Indore. The government wanted to dispose of 346 tons of poisonous material from the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal. The factory was the source of infamous Bhopal gas tragedy that happened on Dec. 2-3, 1984. Poisonous gas leak killed 5,295 people immediately and some 15,000 people within few months. Some 560,000 people were left partially or fully disabled. Two Catholic priests, who spearheaded protests against disposal of waste at Pithampur, have also welcomed the decision.
One of them, Fr.-Prasad Kuzhivelil, said he was happy about the resolution. But the state must ensure that waste should be chemically neutralized before disposal. The Divine Word priest said waste from the pesticide factory can pollute water resources, farm lands and the entire environment.
Father George Payatikat, another protesting priest, agreed, saying the Church is “concerned about people’s welfare.” He added that they will oppose unsafe disposal of the waste.