Endosulfan-affected to stage protest

Agitation by mothers of victims in capital on January 30

Mothers of endosulfan victims light a flambeau to mark the launch of a day-long protests near the Collectorate in Kasaragod (FILE). K. Vinaya Kumar Ramanathpai

The victims of indiscriminate spraying of pesticide endosulfan in the district will stage a day-long agitation in front of the Secretariat on January 30, accusing the State government of “adopting a lax attitude” to their issues.

The agitation by the mothers of the victims, spearheaded by the Endosulfan Peeditha Janakeeya Munnani (EPJM), will be inaugurated by tribal activist Daya Bai, who is fighting for the cause of tribespeople at Barul village in Madhya Pradesh.

In a statement here, EPJM secretary Ambalathara Kunhikrishnan said the victims were being forced to agitate as the government was slow in meeting their demands over the years.

Demands

Their demands include implementing the Supreme Court verdict of January 10, 2017, ordering the State to disburse ₹5 lakh as compensation to all victims on the official list within three months.

When the order was not complied with, the Supreme Court had asked the State government to file an affidavit .

The EPJM also wants the State to fulfil its promises given to the victims in the past and include on the official beneficiary list all the 1,905 suspected victims, who figure on the draft report prepared after the medical camps here in April last.

The EPJM has warned of launching an indefinite agitation in front of the Secretariat if authorities fail to address their woes.