Endosulfan: Panaje victims' cries yet to reach government

Endosulfan was sprayed in Padre village in Enmakaje in Kasargod district. However, no one is responding to the woes of the victims of Panaje, which is border to Kerala. The people of Panaje, Bharanya, Bantaje, Kondalka were suffering from the ill effects of Endosulfan for the last several years. At present, there are 15 students in Arlapadav primary school who have become the victim of Endosulfan spray. The Kerala government is providing free treatment to the victims of Endosulfan along with Rs 5,000 every month. However, Karnataka government provides honorarium of Rs 1,000 to the victims and has opened a rehabilitation centre at Kokkada. However, the victims in Panaje do not get any facilities, putting them to hardship.

According to a survey conducted 10 years ago, there were 22 Endosulfan victims in 19 houses in Panaje. Even to this day, there are several victims in Panaje. The Endosulfan victims do not have any documents in Panaje. Hence, they were denied of facilities.

The children born in Panaje are suffering from lack of eye sight, heart disease, handicapped, hearing disability, asthama, cancer or skin disease. As the child grows, the disease get worsened. The entomologist from Bangalore Agriculture University, horticulture department, Assistant Director of Brahmavar Agriculture Research Centre, Ullal Cashew Centre had visited Panaje 10 years ago and had collected details on the victims. However, they did not return to the village after the survey. The government is not showing any concern towards us, feels villagers.

Owing to the effort of Energy Minister Shobha Karandlaje, the victims at Patrame and Kokkada got recognised by the government. The officials should try to help the victims in Panaje.

Now the president of Shreyobhivridhi Trust, an NGO, S Aboobakkar Arlapadavu and Secretary Eshwar Bhat Kadandelu are trying to bring the matter before the government and have urged the government to make a study on the victims in Panaje.