Thiruvananthapuram, Monday, April 25, 2011: A number of anti-Endosulfan activists today took pledge and staged protest at signature campaigns to mobilise support for the call to ban Endosulfan which marked the State-wide observance of Anti-Endosulfan Day. Several social and environmental activists, artists and the public participated in the event to highlight the public support for a ban on Endosulfan in several parts of the state.

Stepping up pressure on the Centre for a nationwide ban on endosulfan pesticide, Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan today began a day-long fast here along with peoples’ representatives, political leaders and civil rights activists to press for the demand.

The mass fast at the martyr’s column is being held as part of the “anti-endosulfan day” being observed in the state today. It began at 10 am and would end at 5 pm.

The agitation comes on a day when discussion on the demand for ban on persistent organic pollutants begins at an international convention in Geneva. The protestors demand that India press for a ban on endosulfan at the Geneva convention.

Speaking at the venue, Achuthanandan said the “negative approach” of the Centre and the Prime Minister towards the demand for endosulfan ban was a “challenge to the people” and would have to be corrected.

State-wide observance of Anti-Endosulfan Day was announced by the State government to coincide with the opening of the conference of parties of the Stockholm Convention in Geneva.