Anti-endosulfan shutdown hits normal life in Kerala
April 29th, 2011 - 9:54 pm ICT by ANIKochi, Apr 29(ANI): Activists of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) demonstrated in Kerala’s Kochi district on Friday seeking a countrywide ban on endosulfan pesticide by the Central government.
The shops in the city remained closed and normal activities came to a standstill during a day-long shutdown called by the ruling LDF.
Public modes of transport like buses, taxis and autorickshaws were off the road, crippling the mobility of the people.
“This shutdown was called by LDF, but everybody from the state, including the Congress members, are participating in this protest, because this demand to ban Endosulfan is the demand of everybody in Kerala,” said Kumaraswamy, an LDF leader.
The protesting members threatened to intensify the stir if their demand was not met by the Central government. They participated in a march with banners and flags to further press their demand, and were joined by numerous locals.
“We called it (shutdown), but everybody participated in it. If the Central government doesn’t take a decision against it, then we will intensify our movement,” Kumaraswamy added.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had recommended a ban on Endosulfan, but the Central government is not willing to impose it, saying that there is no scientific evidence to prove its harmful effect on human body.
Around 81 countries across the globe have already banned the use of Endosulfan. (ANI)
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- Sushma Swaraj backs endosulfan ban - Apr 28, 2011
- Shutdown hits life in Kerala - Apr 29, 2011
- Kerala's Left Front calls shutdown for endosulphan ban - Apr 26, 2011
- Kerala CM Achuthanandan on day-long fast for ban on endosulfan - Apr 25, 2011
- NHRC chief visits Kerala's pesticide affected areas - Dec 18, 2010
- Supreme Court issues notice to Centre on plea to ban endosulfan - May 02, 2011
- Karnataka to ban Endosulfan use - Feb 17, 2011
- Supreme Court moved on endosulfan ban - Apr 26, 2011
- NHRC slams government for opposing ban on endosulfan - Dec 31, 2010
- Will ban Endosulfan if found harmful: Supreme Court - May 11, 2011
- Endosulfan ban: Supreme Court issues notice (Lead) - May 02, 2011
- Supreme Court issues notice seeking ban on Endosulfan - May 02, 2011
Tags: activists, buses, central government, communist party of india, communist party of india marxist, congress members, CPI, democratic front, flags, government doesn, human body, human rights commission, kochi, locals, modes of transport, national human rights commission, nhrc, pesticide, standstill, taxis