Kasaragod, Friday 14 January 2010: The police have tightened security measures by deploying additional forces at the programme venues of Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan here today.

Security has been stepped up in the wake of reports that some forums are planning to wave black flags at the Chief Minister in protest against the government’s alleged laxity in announcing rehabilitation packages for Endosulfan victims and anomalies in allotment of land to landless people. The Chief Minister is scheduled to attend seven programmes in the district today.

Reports here said the government’s decision to restrict the issue of bio-metric cards to those afflicted with serious ailments has been criticised by activists working among those suffering from undiagnosed diseases suspected to be caused by aerial spraying of Endosulfan on the cashew estates of the PCK over the last two decades.

(News agency)