Endosulfan victims cast their votes

Puttur: Endosulfan victims made sure they cast their votes even though their demands went unheard by everyone during the campaign period.

Santhosh Menezes, a bedridden endosulfan victim was brought in a jeep to a polling station in Kokkada, in Belthangady Assembly constituency, to cast his vote on May 12, Saturday. His home is about half a kilometre away.

Other endosulfan victims like Vidya, 32, and twins Dinesh and Dinakara, 30 had to be accompanied to the polling station in Alankar under Sullia Assembly constituency.

The government spraying endosulfan on cashew plantations spread over 6,387 hectares, in Belthnagady and Puttur taluks since 1980s, resulted in many civilians developing physical deformities and mental issues.

Belthangady taluk alone has 906 voters who are endosulfan victims and Puttur has about 950. About 70% of them turned up to exercise their right.