Thiruvananthapuram: Mothers with their endosulfan-affected children began an indefinite fast in front of the Secretariat here, demanding speedy disbursal of compensation and implementation of the rehabilitation package.

Social Activist Daya Bai, who is leading the protest, said she was 'aghast' that the government had not yet completed disbursal of the compensation to the victims and their families.

The families, who have come from the northernmost district of Kasaragod to the state's southern tip to make their woes heard, said they would not return without their demands being met.

A protest was held in front of the secretariat here last year also by the victims' families.

The Supreme Court had in January 2017 directed the Kerala government to disburse compensation and rehabilitation package for endosulfan pesticide victims within three months.

A bench headed by then Chief Justice J S Khehar had ordered the government to provide a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of people who died following exposure to the pesticide and those who became bed-ridden or mentally challenged.

Endosulfan, an off-patent organochlorine insecticide and acaricide, was used widely on crops like cashew, cotton, tea, paddy, fruits and others until 2011, when the Supreme Court banned its production and distribution.