Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) S. George on Saturday made it clear that police personnel deployed around the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project site and nearby hamlets in the wake of the renewed agitation against the project will not harass the public as its priorities were maintaining law and order and ensuring peace and tranquillity in the region.
Speaking to reporters at the Kudankulam police station after reviewing the preparedness of the force, Mr. George said that the authorities had scaled down the strength of the additional force deployed around the KKNPP site and in problematic areas that had witnessed agitation against the project as the safety and security of people in the region had been ensured. He denied the protestors' allegation that the police had prevented the supply of essential commodities to Idinthakarai, the protest hub. “The blocks created by the protesters were cleared by them and two truckloads of essential commodities were sent to the village on Friday from Tuticorin. The police did not prevent it as we are not anti-people. They should be happy,” Mr. George said. The existing force would be withdrawn as the situation improved further.
Asked whether prohibitory orders imposed on Radhapuram taluk would be lifted as the situation had improved considerably, the ADGP said that the district administration would take the decision.
Driving home his point that the police will not harass innocent public, he made it clear that those facing specific cases will have to face the consequences. “Law will take its own course.”
The ADGP said that there would not be any problem for innocent persons of the region seeking to apply for or renew passports in obtaining ‘No Objection Certificate' from the police.
Later Mr. George visited some of the places where members of additional forces deployed have been staying for the past few days to ascertain whether all facilities were available. He instructed officials to improve the conditions wherever required.
