’Hunger strike’ by endosulfan victims

Mangalore Today News Network

Puttur, May 20, 2017: Endo Virodhi Horata Samiti’,  an organization working for endosulfan victims in Dakshina Kannada district, is set to support  Endosulfan victims who will commence an indefinite hunger strike at Kokkada in Puttur taluk.

This hunger strike is since the state government has not considered the demands of endosulfan victims for permanent rehabilitation, increased compensation and monthly stipend., said Samiti president K Shridhara Gowda.

The government has not considered demands of endosulf an victims’ kin seriously even after four members of an endosulfan affected family committed suicide in Kokkada two months ago. "The government has not reserved funds for endosulfan victims in the last budget. We have written several letters to people’s representatives, officials of various departments and to the chief minister, but our demands have not been met. Hence, we have decided to hold a dharna at Kokkada on May 27. We have invited chief minister Siddaramaiah and other ministers to visit the venue and listen to our grievances. Endosulfan victims will commence an indefinite hunger strike from May 28 if they do not visit our dharna venue on May 27," Shridhara said
.