Notice on Kumari, Nellai Cancer Cases

The Madras High Court has issued notice to the State government on a petition demanding the constitution of a medical team to probe cancer and kidney failure deaths in the costal districts of Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli.

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has issued notice to the State government on a petition demanding the constitution of a medical team to probe cancer and kidney failure deaths in the costal districts of Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli.

A petition filed by Fisherman Care sought a probe into the deaths of fisherfolk due to kidney failure and cancer in Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli. The petition stated that due to garnet sand mining in coastal villages in the two districts, the water has been contaminated in the area.

It said that a survey conducted by Coastal Peace and Developments highlighted that in Kanyakumari district alone,  about 205 people have died of cancer and 73 are living with the disease.

The petition also urged the court to direct the respondents to conduct periodical medical camps in the coastal villages besides restoring the AVM Channel which supplied drinking water to the coastal districts of Kanyakumari district.

Acting Chief Justice of Madras High Court

Satish K Agnihotri and Justice M M Sundaresh issued notice to Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries Department Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department Secretary, Director of Medical and Rural Health Service, Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Director of Directorate of Medical Education, and Joint Directors of Health Services in Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli districts.

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