Anti-KNPP struggle to enter 100th day Thursday

 

Anti-KNPP struggle to enter 100th day Thursday

  CHENNAI: The people's struggle against the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) in Tamil Nadu enters its 100th day Thursday.

The

movement against the two 1,000 MW reactors being built by the Nuclear
Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) in Tirunelveli district's
Koodankulam area, about 650 km from here, began Aug 16 at Idinthakarai
and is spearheaded by the People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy
(PMANE).

"The anti-KNPP struggle began Aug 16 and Thursday will

be the 100th day. We will be conducting a blood donation camp at
Idinthakarai, near Koodankulam," M. Pushparayan, convener of the Coastal
People's Federation and a PMANE leader, told IANS.

The struggle

is now in its third phase as there were two breaks in the relay fast -
the first between Sep 21-Oct 9 and the second break on Oct 17 for the
local governing body elections.

Villagers fear for their lives

and safety in case of any nuclear accident and the long-term impact the
nuclear plant would have on the population.

Their agitation has

put a stop to the project work, thereby delaying the commissioning of
the first unit by several months and increasing the project cost from
the budgeted Rs.13,171 crore.

The staying power of the activists and the support from the local people has put the spotlight on Koodankulam.

"Once

the fishermen decide on a thing, they remain steadfast. As to the
funds, the fishermen's association in each village chips in with funds.
There are no major expenses for us except water and the tent. It is a
fasting protest so there is no expense on food," Pushparayan said.

He said fishing villages which participate in the relay fast take care of the expenses for their team.

Activists

are upset that their protest is being termed anti-national by some
quarters and that police are booking cases against the demonstrators.

Tirunelveli police have booked cases against the protestors for trespassing and also for waging war against the nation.

"Let

the authorities put up glowing buoys so that fishermen know the line of
demarcation. Anti-nuclear power does not mean anti-national,"
Pushparayan remarked.

Koodankulam plant: Fishermen observe 'black day'

Koodankulam: As part of their protest against the nuclear power plant here, fishermen from coastal belt in the region on Monday observed the World Fisheries Day as 'black day' with black coloured flags and festoons on their boats.

Fishermen of Idindakarai, the epicentre of the over three-month long protests by locals demanding scrapping of the Indo-Russian project, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari also held black flag demonstrations, raising slogans against the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant.

Meanwhile, the relay fast by locals, demanding scrapping of the project citing safety concerns, entered its 35th day today.

Pushparayon, convenor of the Anti-Nuclear Energy movement, said they were now contemplating about the next stage of the stir in wake of the "failure" of talks between the Central and state government-appointed committees.

Pushparayon, also a member representing the agitators on the state government panel, claimed that people's support to the movement was intact and there was no division.

In a counter-protest, about 100 supporters of KNPP also held a demonstration at Valliyoor demanding commissioning of the plant.

Sathyaseelan, a leader of the KNPP Supporting People's Movement, said though the initial response to their movement was meagre, "more and more people from other belts are now extending their support".

PTI