Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (TU/CN)
Mangalore, Oct 1: Justice Michael F Saldanha, head of the People’s Tribunal, said on Tuesday September 30, that that over a thousand citizens ran the risk of losing their lives due to the use of toxic gas by police on September 14 and September 15, on protestors in the aftermath of the serial attacks on churches in the city .
The tribunal was jointly set up by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), and the Catholic Association of South Canara. Addressing mediapersons at the press club, he said the tear gas shells used by police at all four places had expired in the year 2002.
Justice Saldanha added that the gas in these shells turns toxic after the expiry date due to chemical reactions and is extremely dangerous if used in that condition. ‘This has come dangerously close to another Bhopal gas tragedy,’ he said.
‘While speaking with over 400 of the victims from three different places where police used tear gas, the fact emerged that the gas has caused serious health problems for which prolonged treatment has become necessary’, he informed. He also showed the expiry date written on a tear gas cylinder.
The overall conclusion is that the use of gas itself was totally unjustified in all three cases, as they were not sanctioned by law nor facts. The operations were led by the superintendent of police, deputy superintendent of police (rural) and inspector Ganapathi among several other officers, said Saldanha. PB D’Sa, district president, PUCL, was present at the press meet.