Thiruvananthapuram: Victims of endosulfan pesticide and their family members on Tuesday launched an indefinite hunger strike in front of the state secretariat demanding immediate disbursal of the compensation amounts to them.
Women and small children were among those who participated in the protest which was inaugurated by opposition leader V S Achuthanandan.
Addressing the gathering, VS said that history will not forgive Chandy if he does not solve the victims' issues.
The organisers said the Kerala Human Rights Commission had five years ago ordered the government to disburse the compensation. However, a statement from Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's office stated that the UDF government had disbursed Rs 150.71 crore to the victims.
As per the recommendations of the National Human Rights Commission, the UDF government had sanctioned Rs 104.40 crore and Rs 46.31 crore for disbursing monthly pension and other benefits.
Endosulfan, a pesticide, which is not easily degradable after its spraying several years ago in Kerala, contaminated the soil and water and found its way into the food chain, affecting lower and higher forms of life, including humans.
According to official data, there are 5,837 victims in 27 panchayats and 4 municipalities in Kasaragod district. (With agency inputs)
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