Dhar: A day after 33y tonnes of toxic waste from the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal was brought to Pithampur in the Dhar district to be discarded, locals came out in large numbers to protest against the planned disposal on Friday with two men getting hospitalised after they set themselves ablaze.
During a protest against waste disposal in the town of Dhar district, two individuals poured a liquid on themselves and set themselves on fire, according to eyewitnesses and a video recorded at the scene. Eyewitnesses stated that the two men, both around 40 years old, were quickly taken to a hospital in Pithampur, located about 250 kilometers from Bhopal.
VIDEO | Madhya Pradesh: Police detain a few people who attempted self-immolation during a protest in Pithampur against dumping of toxic waste in from Bhopal’s Union Carbide plant.
Shops and markets at Pithampur in Dhar district remained closed today amid a bandh call against the… pic.twitter.com/KJB8FpgDAB
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 3, 2025
The injured men have been shifted to a private hospital in Indore and reported to be stable while the situation remained tense in the industrial with the police deployed to maintain law and order, police said.
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The protests are being held in Pithampur against the planned disposal of the toxic waste from the Union Carbide factory that led to the Bhopal gas tragedy 40 years ago. Shops and markets in Pithampur remained closed following a bandh call by the Pithampur Bachao Samiti, which argues that the planned incineration of the waste in the area could harm both the local population and the environment.
Pithampur, with a population of around 1.75 lakh, hosts nearly 700 factories across three sectors in its industrial area.
Meanwhile, Dhar Collector Priyank Mishra assured the people that no decision regarding the disposal would be taken without their consent.
“The police and administration are managing the law and order situation arising from the protest at the Pithampur bus stand against the UCIL waste being brought to the area. I want to assure everyone that no action will be taken without involving the public and ensuring their confidence. We are proceeding with caution, keeping scientific measures in mind, and will address all concerns,” he told ANI.
Bhopal gas tragedy
On the night of December 2-3, 1984, methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas leaked from the Union Carbide pesticide factory in Bhopal, resulting in the deaths of at least 5,479 people and causing serious, long-lasting health issues for thousands more.
Authorities have since moved 337 tonnes of waste from the Carbide factory to Pithampur for scientific disposal, but this has sparked protests. The waste reached an incineration unit in Pithampur on Thursday.
During the bandh, a group of protesters blocked the road near Eicher Motors, but police managed to disperse them and restore normal traffic after a mild cane charge.
