Thiruvananthapuram: The government has decided to convene a high-level meeting next week to resolve the issues raised by endosulfan victims and their family members. This was disclosed by revenue minister E. Chandrashekharan who visited the dharna site of endosulfan victims outside the secretariat on Tuesday. The government would take up their demands on priority, he said. Earlier, social activist Daya Bai lit the flame, kicking off the agitation, along with a endosulfan-affected child in the presence of former minister Binoy Viswam at the dharna organised by Endosulfanpeeditha Janakeeya Munnani (EPJM).
The victims of indiscriminate endosulfan spraying held the day-long dharna against the indifferent attitude of the state government. The agitation by mothers of the victims was inaugurated by tribal activist Daya Bai. The main demands raised by EPJM include implementation of the SC verdict of January 10, 2017 order on disbursing compensation worth Rs 5 lakh each to all victims within three months and inclusion of all 1905 suspected victims who figure in the draft report prepared after medical camps, in the beneficiary list. A large number of people had gathered in front of the secretariat to express solidarity with endosulfan victims and their family members. Members of the EPJM said they would attend the meeting if the government extended an invitation to their officer bearers.
“We are not adamant on resorting to an indefinite strike. We want an amicable solution. Coming to Thiruvanathapuram for the agitation takes its toll on the mothers and children who have to come all the way from Kasargod to take part in the protest. It poses a great risk to the children who are facing various disabilities. The government should take all these issues into consideration to resolve the strike at the earliest,” said a EPJM member worker. They sought the chief minister’s intervention as he was aware of their issues. If the government failed to resolve their issues, the EPJM would launch an indefinite day and night strike in front of the secretariat from March 15.
