Vizag gas leak: Villagers stage protest at plant with dead bodies

Visakhapatnam: The locals from RR Venkatapuram near Naiduthota in Vizag district, Andhra Pradesh, where the styrene gas leaked from LG Polymers in the wee hours of May 7, 2020, staged a protest in front of the plant with dead bodies of two persons who succumbed after inhaling the toxic chemical. They demanded that the plant be removed from the area and that those responsible for the tragedy be booked.

Meanwhile, DGP Gautam Sawang faced some emotional moments when some women fell on his legs begging him for the removal of the plant.

The protesters said the dactory was a threat to the people living around it. The protesters barged into the plant when DGP Gautam Sawang, who came outside after inspecting the factory. He said the situation was under control now and that it might take 24 hours more to bring back normalcy in the area.

Meanwhile, West Visakhapatnam MLA Gana Venkata Reddy from the TD, along with his party members, also staged a protest in front of the LG plant demanding that an expert committee be constituted to probe into the incident. The MLA said that not even a single member in the committee currently constituted by the state government has knowledge in gas leak accidents.

In an attempt to mitigate the suffering of the Vizag gas catastrophe victims, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had announced Rs 1 crore ex-gratia to each of the 11 bereaved families. Apart from this, a compensation package will be provided to the affected people, he said.

The CM further constituted a high-level committee to probe into the gas leak caused by the chemical manufacturing company.

"A Special task force has been set up to help victims and families to resolve any issues and provide every assistance to the bereaved families. All families will be contacted shortly. This team has the responsibility to provide every support for the deceased, medical supplies and household goods, and emotional management for psychological stability to all injured and victims," according to LG Polymers India in an official release.