The Endosulfan Peeditha Munnani (EPM) has decided to stage a hunger strike in front of the State Assembly during its upcoming budget session demanding fulfilment of assurances given to the victims in the past.
The decision to launch the stir was taken following the lax attitude of the authorities to the endosulfan victims, EPM secretary Ambalathara Kunhikrishnan said here after an emergency meeting of the forum on Monday.
The assurance that efforts would be taken to provide compensation recommended by the National Human Rights Commission to victims living outside the notified 11 panchayats as well remained on paper despite a government order to this effect, he said.
Refuting the argument, a senior medical official in the district-level Endosulfan Rehabilitation Cell said the authorities were open to include all suspected victims for screening in the upcoming medical camp scheduled in May. As many as 1,800 of the over 5,000 people who were examined in the previous medical camp to identify the victims were from outside the 11 panchayats. Fifty-five fresh cases from the areas were included on the list. Similar methodology would be adopted in the upcoming camp too, the official said.
Forum alleges apathy in giving compensation
Fresh cases included on victims’ list: official
