Anguished activists call May 11 another black day

Social activists fighting for enhanced punishment to the accused in the Bhopal gas disaster on Wednesday expressed dismay over the Supreme Court's order dismissing the Central Bureau of Investigation’s curative petition and called it "another black day".

Social activists fighting for enhanced punishment to the accused in the Bhopal gas disaster on Wednesday expressed dismay over the Supreme Court's order dismissing the Central Bureau of Investigation’s curative petition and called it "another black day".

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"Supreme Court today has heaped yet more injustice on victims who have already suffered it earlier — in 1989 on settlement (for compensation) and in 1996 after dilution of penal charges against the accused. May 11 is another black day in the history of Bhopal," social activist Satinath Sarangi told reporters after the apex court delivered its verdict.

"The message you are sending out to world is that you can come here, kill us and go back," he added. Sarangi alleged that the state organs, including judiciary, were not keen on justice to Bhopal gas victims.

Another activist Madhumita Das also lamented that "people have to suffer for mistakes committed by the governments".

"I am shocked. After so many years there was hope for Bhopal victims. For the mistakes of the government and the CBI, the victims have to suffer again," she rued.