NGOs fighting for Bhopal gas victims laud Meredith Alexendar

NGOs fighting for the rights of the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy today hailed Meredith Alexendar, who resigned as chairperson of the ethics committee of the London Olympics Committee over sponsorship of the Games by Dow Chemicals, current owner of the Union Carbide.

Representatives of five NGOs placed a bouquet before the photo of Alexander in appreciation of her gesture in support of the victims of the gas tragedy, that occurred on the intervening nights of December 2-3, 1984 killing thousands and maiming lakhs.

"By speaking the truth so boldly Meredith has nailed Dow Chemical's lies that the London Olympic Committee and its Chairman Lord Coe believed and propagated till recently.

"We hope this will make London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) dump Dow Chemical as a sponsor of the London Games," said Rashida Bee, President of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Stationery Karmchari Sangh said.

"It is time that LOCOG is told that India will not participate in Olympics if it continues to be sponsored by a corporation responsible for continuing deaths and suffering in Bhopal," said Rachna Dhingra of the Bhopal Group for Information and Action. Representatives of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha, Bhopal Gas Peedit Nirashrit Pension Bhogi Sangharsh Morcha and Children Against Dow Carbide also praised Alexender for her decision to resign.

The felicitation of Alexender was part of the day long fast by victims of the tragedy seeking withdrawal of criminal cases on 2,000 survivors and release of the 14 persons, who are in jail for over six weeks in connection with the protest action on the 27th Anniversary of the disaster.