INDORE/MHOW: Pithampur, industrial hub of Madhya Pradesh, was relatively calm Sunday after three days of protests over the proposed incineration of 337 metric tonnes of Union Carbide waste. After several rounds of parlays with officials, residents of Pithampur decided to wait for Monday’s hearing in Jabalpur bench of Madhya Pradesh HC, where govt is required to produce an action-taken report.
HC will also hear a petition filed by Indore doctors against transportation of waste to Pithampur and the move to incinerate it there, citing health concerns for both Pithampur and Indore residents. CM Mohan Yadav has said govt will place people’s concerns before HC and seek more time to dispose the waste. Sunday started with a rumour on social media that one of the 12 sealed trucks that brought the gas tragedy waste to Pithampur was missing. Officials rushed to the disposal plant, checked the trucks, and came out with a statement. “These are rumours. People should not pay heed to them,” said SDM Pramod Singh Gurjar. Additional SP Dr Indrajit Singh Bakalwar and Gurjar held a public meeting at Tarpura village to explain how the waste would be disposed of safely. Pithampur saw violent protests for two days, during which locals clashed with police and two residents tried to immolate.
The people’s movement prompted govt to hold meetings in Indore, Bhopal and Pithampur, but the protesters have stuck to their demands that the waste should be removed from the Pithampur facility.
