Bhopal gas tragedy: PM promises to address all issues

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today affirmed his government's commitment to addressing all issues connected to the tragedy, including safe drinking water and expeditious clean-up of the site.

Paying condolences to the victims of the 1984 Bhopal gas leakage, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday affirmed his government's commitment to addressing all issues connected to the tragedy, including safe drinking water and expeditious clean-up of the site.

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In a statement here on 25th anniversary of the leakage at Union Carbide pesticide plant, Singh said the government owes it to citizens to put in place "procedures and precautions" to ensure that such a tragedy never occurs again.

"Twenty five years ago, the country woke up to a terrible tragedy in Bhopal... I share the grief of those affected by this horrible incident," he said about the mishap in which 5000 people were killed and many others incapacitated permanently.

"The enormity of that tragedy of neglect still gnaws at our collective conscience," he said.

Noting that the families, which suffered and lost their dear ones can never really be fully compensated, he said, however, the government has implemented several measures to provide relief to them, including improvement in their living conditions and socio­economic and medical rehabilitation.

"Those affected by the catastrophe deserve our continuing support and sympathy," Singh said.

"I reaffirm our Government's commitment to resolving issues of safe drinking water, expeditious clean-up of the site, continuation of medical research, and any other outstanding issues connected with the Bhopal Gas Tragedy," he said.