JOIN USEndosulfan victims held a meeting in Uppinangady on Wednesday and decided to boycott the upcoming Assembly elections.
Kokkada Endo Virodhi Horata Samithi president Sridhar Gowda said that if political parties promise to respond to the problems of the endosulfan victims in their election manifesto, then the decision to boycott the election will be withdrawn and victims will exercise their franchise. After the formation of the new government, endosulfan victims, and their family members will stage a protest at Freedom Park, in Bengaluru.
He said that the government’s claims of providing smart card and bus pass facilities for the victims did not reach the beneficiaries.
Parents of Endosulfan victims Abbas Konthooru, Kamala Dharmasthala, Prasanna Kalenja, Gangarathna Vasanth shared their experiences.
Association to support
DK and Udupi Physically Challenged Persons Association president Dr Muralidhar Nayak extended support and said that the government is trying to divide endosulfan victims.
United effort
Peer Saheb of Endo Virodhi Horata Samithi said that the victims did not get the expected help from the government and that there is a need for a permanent rehabilitation centre. “A few non-endosulfan victims have been getting the benefit. They should return the smart card,” he appealed.