Bhopal/Pithampur (Madhya Pradesh): The protests against the incineration of toxic Union Carbide waste in Pithampur escalated on Friday morning as two youths attempted self-immolation.
Aged between 25 to 27 years, Raju Patel and Rajkumar Raghuvanshi poured petrol on themselves during the agitation. They were immediately taken to the community health centre by the police for treatment.
The protesters have blocked the bus stand area, bringing traffic to a standstill for over half an hour. Vehicles travelling to and from Dhar have been diverted via Power House Square and Mahindra Bridge to ease congestion. After the attempt, the protest escalated and started sloganeering against the ruling government. Members of the District Administration have reached the protest site but have been unable to pacify the protestors.
According to information, the protestors who attempted self immolation are between 25-27 years of age. According to sources, after the attempt, the police have increased their strictness at the protest site near the Pithampur bus stand, confining demonstrators to a designated area to maintain order. Leaders from various political parties have joined the agitation, addressing the crowd and expressing solidarity with their demands.
Meanwhile, members of the Pithampur Bachao Samiti, recently returned from Delhi, have lent their voices to the growing dissent. The hunger strike led by farmer Sandeep Raghuvanshi also continues unabated. Raghuvanshi vowed not to break his fast until the toxic waste is removed from Pithampur entirely.
SDM tried to pacify the protestors, but all in vain.
Authorities, including SDM Pramod Kumar Gurjar and Dhar Additional SP Indrajit Bagalwar, are attempting to pacify the demonstrators. SDM Gurjar assured the protesters that the waste disposal process is being conducted scientifically and appealed for cooperation to ensure peace.
Protesters move towards Ramky Enviro Industries
After the self-immolation incident, the protestors got agitated and started marching towards Ramky Enviro Industries, where the incineration of the waste was already started. The police have deployed barriers and hundreds of officers to stop the protestors from reaching the incineration site.
