Bhopal tragedy: NGOs seek extradition of Union Carbide secy

Seeking extradition of Union Carbide secretary John McDonald, some organisations working for the survivors of the Bhopal Gas tragedy today urged the Centre to ensure that Dow Chemical does not make any investment in India until it accepts Union Carbide's liabilities in Bhopal.
Chemical giant Dow had taken over the Union Carbide Corporation some years after the 1984 toxic gas leak from the latter's Bhopal factory killed thousands of people and maimed several lakhs.
"The organisations call upon the Indian Government to move on extradition of John McDonald, secretary of Union Carbide and not allow Dow Chemicals to make any investment in the country until it accepts Union Carbide's liabilities in Bhopal," Satinath Sarangi and Rachna Dhingra, members of Bhopal Group of Information and Action (BGIA) told reporters.

Representatives of other four organisations - Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh, Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha, Bhopal Gas Peedit Nirashrit Pension Bhogi Sangharsh Morcha and Children Against Dow Carbide, were also present on the occasion.
The organisations have demanded that the US government should express regret for refusing to extradite prime accused of Bhopal Gas Tragedy Warren Anderson - the then CEO of Union Carbide Corporation, US, who died recently while absconding from Indian Court in that country.
"As Anderson couldn't be tried, McDonald should be brought to India to face the trial for the gas leak that caused the world's worst industrial disaster," they demanded.

Sarangi and Dhingra sought that the US government should acknowledge and express regret for financing the "hazardously designed" Union Carbide plant in Bhopal.
They said a delegation comprising representatives from ten trade unions of Scotland and members of Friends of Earth, Scotland, ANOREV, Hong Kong, Hazards Network, UK, Minamata Solidarity Network, Japan, Bhopal Medical Appeal, the UK, Pesticide Action Network Asia Pacific, Malaysia, are among the international supporters of Bhopal Justice struggle, who have arrived here for the 30th anniversary of Bhopal Gas Tragedy.