United Nations: Two victims of the Bhopal gas leak tragedy, now on a tour of the United States, have asked the United Nations to help rehabilitate those who were affected by leak of a poisonous gas 20 years ago.

Rashida Bee and Champa Devi Shukla said the world body goes to aid of victims of every disaster whether natural or man-made but it was discriminating against Bhopal victims.

Talking to reporters yesterday (Apr 29, 2004), they spoke about the toxic effects of the leak being passed on to new generation and urged international community to force Dow Chemicals, which took over Union Carbide from whose pesticide plant the gas had leaked, to take responsibility and compensate victims.

They also sought help to clean the factory site and nearby areas where, they said, Union Carbide's plant had dumped toxic material.

They met UN officials to press their case and questioned the United Nations working with major corporations who, they said, are dirtying the environment and have strong lobbies to ensure no harm comes to them.

Asked whether the Indian Government would allow UN to work in Bhopal, they said they have no idea. But "let the UN say it wants to help the victims who have been neglected".

Bee and Shukla, who won prestigious Goldman Prize last week, said the victims are living miserable lives and suffering from various diseases. They need immediate help and world body's various agencies should get involved.