Pithampur Protests: Mob Pelts Stones At Police At Incineration Unit, MP Govt To Seek More Time For Waste Disposal
The Madhya Pradesh High Court had pulled up the state government on December 3 for the 40-year delay in disposing of the waste. It had set a four-week deadline to transport it to a disposal site.
A mob on Saturday pelted stones at police in Pithampur in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district. A mob of 100-150 people pelted stones at the gates of the unit where 337 tonnes of Union Carbide waste linked to the Bhopal gas tragedy is set to be incinerated, a police official said.
A probe is underway to identify those behind the incident and take further legal action, Pithampur police station inspector Om Prakash Ahir told news agency PTI.
The incident comes a day after protests broke out in the town against the disposal plan of the state government. A bandh call was also given by the Pithampur Bachao Samiti.
VIDEO | Madhya Pradesh: Protesters pelt stones at police in Pithampur. A protest broke out in the area over the disposal of 337 tonnes of hazardous waste from Union Carbide factory.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 4, 2025
337 tonnes of toxic waste linked to the Bhopal gas tragedy from the defunct Union Carbide factory… pic.twitter.com/gJsedD47nQ
MP Govt To Seek More Time From HC To Dispose Union Carbide Waste
Amid increased protests by locals against waste disposal, the Madhya Pradesh government on Saturday said it would request the High Court to grant more time to carry out the task, PTI reported.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court had pulled up the state government on December 3 for the 40-year delay in disposing of the waste. It had set a four-week deadline to transport it to a disposal site, following which the waste was taken to thePitampur factory. The next hearing is expected to be held on January 6.
"We will pray to the Madhya Pradesh High Court to grant us more time to dispose of the waste scientifically. It will be done after taking the people into confidence, state chief secretary Anurag Jain told said, adding, "I am reiterating what Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said last night."
A mob of 500-600 persons on Friday had marched to Ramky Group's Industrial Waste Management Private Limited premises, where the waste is set to be incinerated, but they were dispersed in time by the police.
As tensions gripped Pithampur, the district administration clamped prohibitory orders under section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Surakhsa Sanhita (BNSS) around the premises of the unit. The prohibitory orders are in force till January 12.
"It will be in force till January 12 and has been invoked to avoid loss of life and property, display of arms, celebratory firing and maintaining peace around the incineration facility," the order issued by district authorities on Friday evening read.
Indore divisional commissioner Deepak Singh and inspector general Anurag on Saturday held a meeting with public representatives to discuss the matter. After the meeting, Singh said the law and order situation was under control and stressed on the need to improve communication with locals.
"There will be constant communication between the police administration and the local people. Whatever process is going on for the disposal of Union Carbide, further action will be taken as per the order of the honourable court," he said.
He urged people to not pay attention to rumours and assured all communication will be done with complete transparency.
Inspector General Anurag also stated that the police have controlled the situation and appealed for peace. "Police force has been deployed and the situation has remained peaceful. People must not believe in rumours," he said.
Providing an update on the health of two persons who were hospitalised after attempting self-immolation during protests on Friday, he said that they had sustained 10-15 per cent burn injuries and are currently at Choithram Hospital in Indore, the report said.
"They are out of danger as per doctors," the IG added.
On the intervening night of December 2-3, 1984, at least 5,479 persons were killed after methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas leaked from the Union Carbide pesticide factory in Bhopal. Thousands were left with serious and long-lasting health issues in the city.
After 40 years, the authorities shifted the 337 tonnes waste from the factory to Pithampur for scientific disposal, for which the material reached the incineration unit on Thursday.
So far, police have registered five cases in connection with Friday protests.
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