THE CENTRE HAS sent two teams of experts, including environmentalists, to Bhopal to assist the state authorities in the investigation of the causes of gas leakage from the Union Carbide’s pesticide plant. The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers have deputed its chemical industry advisor, plant protection advisor, and an official of the directorate general of technical development to help the local officials in dealing with the leakage.

Violations in Bhopal

THE UNION CARBIDE pesticide factory in Bhopal violated the environmental guidelines for the sitting of such a hazardous industry. In the guidelines issued in July, the department of environment says that at the time of the sitting of a hazardous industry, if any major settlement’s notified limit is within 50 kms, the spatial direction of the settlement must be assessed for at least a decade. The industry should also be sited at least 25 km from the projected growth boundary of the settlement.

Extremists’ Trial

OVER 400 EXTREMISTS were arrested by security forces during the army action in Punjab, on charges of waging a war against the government and sedition. They will be tried by a Special Court outside Punjab. The trial is expected to begin mid-December.