Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady
Beltangady, May 27: Scores of Endosulfan-affected families on Saturday May 27 staged a hunger strike at Kokkada here, demanding a system to disburse relief funds on the lines of the lines of the Kerala model, and permanent rehabilitation for Endo victims.
The hunger protest was organized under the aegies of Kokkada Endosulfan Action Committee. BJP leaders inlcuding MP Nalin Kumar Kateel too joined the protest later in the day.
Addressing the gathering, Nalin Kateel said, "The state government has been showing negligence towards the Endo victims. At least now it should wake up from slumber and respond to their problems without delay. I have already met state health minister and apprised him of the problems faced by Endo-affected families. I will also draw the attention of the union government in the next session of the parliament."
Sridhar Gowda Kengudelu of Kokkada Endosulfan Action Committee said, "The governments as well as officials are playing with the lives of Endosulfan victims. Despite the high court's order, the administration has not paid any attention to provide full compensation to the beneficiaries.
"When minister U T Khader was in charge of the health ministry, he had assured that a system to disburse compensation to Endosulfan-affected families which would be a role model even to Kerala. But our demands have not been met even to this date, and now we are forced to come out in streets to protest. If the chief minister does not attend the meeting of the health minister and accept our demands, we will stage a fast unto death in this very spot," he said.
He also said if the state government fails to respond to their problems, the elected representatives from the district should put forward a mercy killing plea in the next legislative session.
District BJP Yuva Morcha president advocate Harish Punja also spoke on the occasion, drawing comparisons between Endosulfan victims and those affected by the Bhopal gas tragedy. He asserted full support of the BJP to the Endosulfan-affected families till they get relief from the government.
Sullia MLA S Angara said that he would raise the issue in the next Assembly session. MLC Kota Srinivas Poojary said that he participated in the protest in order to collect more information and understand the seriousness of the issue. Stating that he was moved by the sight of the Endsulfan victims who had come out to protest, he promised that he would raise the issue in the Legislative Council meeting.
Dakshina Kannada ZP president Meenakshi Shanthigodu, Beltangady BJP president Ranjan Gowda, former Beltangady MLA Prabhakar Bangera, local BJP leaders, representatives from various like-minded associations and NGOs, social workers and others were present.
Over 2,000 people and over 500 Endosulfan victims participated in the protest.
Additional commissioner, district health officer, and other government officials arrived at the spot and held discussions with the protestors. But action committee president Sridhar Gowda and BJP Yuva Morcha president Harish Punja did not respond to their offer to hold talk. "Our demands are directed towards the chief minister and the health minister, so you must take our pleas to them immediately. If not, we will launch fast-unto-death right here at this spot," they told the officials.
VHP taluk president Naveen Nariya welcomed the gathering. Purandara Gowda conducted the proceedings.