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Silicosis slow-poisons Singhbhum, govt doesn't care
Published on Tue, Apr 29, 2008 at 11:23, Updated at Tue, Apr 29, 2008 in 
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SILICA POISON: Whistleblowers are silenced by the factory owners.
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Singhbhum (Jharkhand): Silicosis, the deadly respiratory disease claimed the lives of Sadhana's husband and son. They worked as labourers in a local mineral factory in mineral-rich East Singhbhum district of Jharkkhand and their job became the reason for their death.
My daughter says she won’t marry. I wonder who will support us now. Our lives are miserable,” she says.
Silicosis attacks the lungs and is caused due to inhalation of crystalline silica dust. In the last one year alone, 21 people have died.
But pollution control norms have not been adhered to and the whistleblowers are silenced by the factory owners.
In fact, the CNN-IBN crew was attacked when we tried to film this crushing unit. But the NHRC has finally stepped in and has sought a report from the state government.
Says anti pollution activist, Samit Kumar Carr, "Government departments are responsible for silicosis.”
Thousands are dying a slow and a painful death in Singhbhum and the Ranchi power center displays concern only when they are pushed.
“I am neither a doctor nor do I know about this disease. I only know about common cold and malaria. Now that you are telling me about this, I am sure it’s a serious illness,” Jharkhand Deputy CM Sudhir Mahto said.
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Important issue that needs exposure. It seems the Jharkhand Government has suspended a doctor who spoke on silicosis!
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