Vizag gas leak: NHRC issues notices to Centre, AP govt

Ravi S Singh
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, May 7 

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Centre and the Andhra Pradesh government seeking a report on the leakage of styrene gas on Thursday morning from an industrial unit in Vishakhapatnam district which reportedly caused the death of 11 people and affected hundreds.

It has asked the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs through its Secretary to examine whether the norms laid down under the relevant provisions of the law were being implemented at the industrial unit.

The Chief Secretary and the Director-General of Police of Andhra Pradesh government have been asked separately to report the relief and rescue operations, the FIR in the matter and the related investigation.

The leakage of the gas has reportedly affected people within a radius of about three kilometres of the industrial unit.

The Commission has observed that though prima-facie there are no reports regarding human error or negligence but the fact that lives have been lost and thousands have fallen sick, was a serious issue of violation of human rights.

“At a time when the human lives across the country are at stake due to spread of Covid-19 virus and everyone is forced to stay indoor, the gruesome tragedy has come as bolt from the blue for the people,” a communique of the Commission said.

The leakage of the gas occurred at a chemical plant at LG Polymers Industry at RR Venkatapuram near Naiduthota area of Vizag district in the wee hours at about 3 am.

The unit manufactures polystyrene and its copolymers.