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The ‘Endosulfan-affected People’s Front’, observing an indefinite fast here seeking a compensation package for victims of the insecticide, has decided to continue and strengthen it even as the protest entered the 33rd day on Friday. This comes after talks with chief minister Oommen Chandy yesterday failed, front sources said.
An all-party meeting to discuss the issue has been scheduled for March 25. Two social activists, A Vasu and Moyin Bapu, who began a 24-hour fast in Kasaragod to express solidarity with enviromental activist Mohan Kumar on March 21, had decided to continue it after the talks failed.
The indefinite stir by the Front at Kasaragod is for demanding a comprehensive compensation package to persons with incurable diseases and deformities caused by spraying of Endosulfan in cashew plantations.
Mohan Kumar is now observing the fast in hospital after he was shifted there by police two days ago. He has been on fast for the last 19 days.
Hundreds of persons,who are victims of aerial spraying of Endosulfan in the plantations in the district in the 1990s, have been struggling to get their demands for proper compensation met by the government since then.
The Front wants the government to withdraw the health department’s order last year, stating that the rehabilitation scheme for victims would be completed in five years.
They also demand proper implementation of the package announced by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in 2010 for Endosulfan victims.
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