With mothers of endosulfan-affected people joining a fast here on Monday, the protest demanding the quick implementation of a rehabilitation package for the victims is expected to intensify. The agitators plan to block the National Highway.

As the fast entered the seventh day on Sunday, two activists became critically ill. Doctors advised the leaders to shift them to hospital. The Endosulfan Peedhitha Janakeeya Munnani, a people’s front for the victims, is leading the protest.

Kochi: Steps have been taken to provide compensation to endosulfan victims as recommended by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the state government has informed the high court. The government’s submission was in response to a November 28, 2012, directive of the high court.

The state said in an affidavit that it was not against implementing all the recommendations of the NHRC on the compensation issue. The government’s priority has been the health and security of the people, which led to the decision to ban endosulfan, N Nandakumar, secretary of health and family welfare department, said in the affidavit.

The second phase of the indefinite hunger strike launched in Kasaragod seeking comprehensive rehabilitation package for hundreds of Endosulfan victims in the district entered the third day on Wednesday.

Subhash Cheemeni and P. Krishnan, ‘Endosulfan Peedhitha Janakeeya Munnani’ activists, are on indefinite hunger strike from February 18. Veteran journalist B. R. P. Bhaskar inaugurated the agitation on Monday.

Victims’ forum relaunches hunger strike after six months

The laxity of the government in providing relief and rehabilitation to hapless endosulfan victims in the district is forcing them to relaunch the indefinite hunger strike after six months, senior journalist B.R.P. Bhaskar has said. He was inaugurating the relay hunger strike spearheaded by the Endosulfan Peeditha Janakeeya Munnani (EPJM) on the new bus station premises here on Monday.

Demand for implementation of relief package

Accusing the government of “moving slow” on its promise to disburse the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)-assured compensation and of omitting a few identified endosulfan victims from the list of persons to be compensated, yet another indefinite relay hunger strike will begin here from February 18. Social and cultural activists and the mothers of the victims will take part in the agitation, spearheaded by the Endosulfan Peedhitha Janakeeya Munnani in their bid to force the government to swiftly implement the NHRC-suggested rehabilitation package, Munnani convener Ambalathara Kunhikrishnan said.

Rehabilitation scheme for endosulfan victims

Senior Congress leader V.M. Sudheeran has called upon Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to convene a meeting to review the progress of the government initiative for relief and rehabilitation schemes for endosulfan victims.

“There have been complaints that the government-announced packages are not reaching the victims. The Chief Minister should hold a review meeting with people’s representatives and activists of various voluntary organisations that have been fighting for the cause of endosulfan victims,” Mr. Sudheeran told reporters here on Monday. The participation of activists of voluntary organisations in the review meeting is essential to assess the problems faced by endosulfan victims and their families, he said.

The ongoing agitation seeking swift relief and rehabilitation package for the hundreds of endosulfan victims has taken a curious turn with the victims and their families in the district sending letters to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) seeking its intervention.

While several affected family members residing in remote villages sent the letters to the NHRC in their respective post offices, quite a few families under the aegis of Endosulfan Peeditha Janakeeya Munnai staged a march to the General Post Office here on Human Rights Day on Monday and sent individual letters to the NHRC.

The State government on Thursday told the High Court that it has identified 5,000 more victims of endosulfan pesticide in State.

The government made the statement while the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen and Justice B V Nagarathna was hearing a suo motu petition that observed that the pesticide had ruined “generations.” “We will be conducting medical camps for the identified victims of the deadly chemical. A compensation package will be announced following such camps,” said the advocate for the State government.

The State government has sanctioned Rs.60.87 lakh for providing educational assistance to endosulfan-affected families.

Minister for Panchayats and Social Welfare M.K. Muneer will inaugurate the disbursement of the assistance at Uppala in Kasaragod district on November 22. The Kerala Social Welfare Mission, which is providing the assistance, had received 2,292 applications for aid. The Minister will hand over the assistance to 12 children on Thursday. Assistance will be sent to others the same day by electronic money order, an official release said on Tuesday.

Govt conducted unscientific, improper survey of Endo victims, alleges leader

Dakshina Kannada District Congress has decided to stretch a helping hand to more than 5,521 Endosulfan victims from 92 villages of Sullia, Puttur, Belthangady and Bantwal taluks in the district. Addressing a press conference in Mangalore on Thursday, Social Action Group for Empowerment (SAGE) Convenor and AICC Member P V Mohan said that Union Health Minister Gulam Nabi Azad has responded positively for the first hand report sent by district Congress about Endo victims through AICC General Secretary Oscar Fernandes and assured of taking immediate actions.