Amid tight security, a protest at sea by fishermen against the commissioning of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant passed off peacefully here on Saturday.
With this sole demand, a large number of fishermen sailed past the Tuticorin coast with a fleet of more than 700 boats in an attempt to lay siege to the approach channel of the V.O. Chidambaranar Port, condemning the Central and State governments for their stand on the issue.
Many fishermen from Tirunelveli and neighbouring coastal hamlets also participated. The boats moved at an average speed in tandem. On steering towards the port channel, where a long and sturdy rope was tied visibly between breakwaters at the threshold, the fleet of boats, which converged close to the channel, stayed afloat.
The agitating fishermen raised slogans, demanding the closure of the nuclear power plant. They also demanded the withdrawal of the police force from Idinthakarai, withdrawal of cases registered against the protesters and relaxation of prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code by the Tirunelveli district administration. With national flags hoisted atop the bow and black flags fluttering up the stern in all boats, the participants said the protest was to express their concern at the commissioning of the nuclear power project as it would harm human lives. Claiming that their livelihood would be at stake once the plant was made operational, the agitators alleged that both the governments were acting against the interests of the fisherfolk.
However, port activities were not affected because of the agitation, according to sources. A surveillance aircraft hovered over the coast to monitor the sailing vessels. Two patrolling Indian Coast Guard ships – Naiki Devi and Veera – were involved in the operation, said Commandant S.E.D. Anand Kumar, Indian Coast Guard, Tuticorin Station. Central Industrial Security Force personnel were also on high alert to avert any danger.
C. Sylendra Babu, Additional Director General of Police, Coastal Security Group, said a drill was executed by the personnel ahead of the sailing protest by the fishermen, who had been advised to act according to signals on assembling and dispersing. He said that vigil would be stepped up further to prevent any untoward incident. Y. John Nicholson, Deputy Inspector General of Police (CB-CID), said the police force was doubly careful and meetings were convened with fishermen on Friday ahead of the protest. Adequate strength of land force was deployed at Tuticorin fishing harbour.
Keywords: Kudankulam nuclear plant, anti-Kudankulam protest, KKNP, anti-nuclear protest, PMANE, nuclear safety, jal satyagraha, Udayakumar
The 'Peoples Movement against Nuclear Energy' led by S.P.Udayakumar has intensified its stir against the commissioning of the Kudankulam Nuclear Plant from the moment the AERB gave its nod for fuel loading. Media reports make it abundantly clear that most of the participants are fishermen. May be their level of education is not high but they seem to be having implicit faith in what their leader has told them about the danger to their lives once the plant becomes operational. Hence, instead of relying entirely on the brute force of the police to control them, yet another worthwhile effort can be made to allay their fears by talking to their leader. There is no problem on earth that cannot be solved through meaningful dialogue. If a section of the people has been misled, they have to be made aware of it through talks. Prolonged confrontation might lead to use of force, injury to many and also loss of lives of innocents. This brooks no delay as the state is facing acute power shortage.
Does it justify that the entire neigbourhood is exposed to SURE CANCER PROSPECTS just because we could generate few MW of Electricity?
Just conduct a survey of the population surrounding NUCLEAR PLANTS in India. You will shockingly learn that the percentage of Cancer patients is 4 times more.
Russia, which is supplying this RISKY TECHNOLOGY has NOT constructed any NEW nuclear plant in the last 40 Years Why?
America, which is also supplying Nuclear Technology to other impoverished nations - has not constructed any NEW nuclear plant in the last 3 decades. Why?!
France, which today generates 70% of its power from NUCLEAR - is set to become TOTALLY NUCLEAR FREE from 2020. Why?!
Germany which today generates 38% of its power from NUCLEAR - is also set to become TOTALLY NUCLEAR FRE from 2020. Why??!
Follow Narendra Modi. Modi has constructed 6 of the world's largest SOLAR FARMS & made Gujarat power surplus
Even after the explanations given by Dr.Abdul Kalam and other
scientists, it seems that people are not convinced.or they don't want
to be convinced. Then what about other installations like Kalpakkam,
Trombay ,etc which are also located near sea shore..What about the
fishermen there. why they are not creating problems. Tamil nadu is
reeling under severe power crisis and almost every day there is power
cut of more than 12 hours. I think the central government should come
out with the details of who are really behind the scene and show the
common people the truth
I admire the tenacity of the protestors. It's too bad that the government does not want to listen to their concerns. The power plant is for the people but history has shown that every project must be SOLD to the people. The governemnt cannot treat the people like children who are told 'this is good for you - just do it'!
where is PMANE leader S P Udayakumar ? is he really underground
evading arrest ? is he so powerful to evade a State Police...&
Organize protest at his will ?? he must have come to some
understanding with Sate Govt..
loading of fuel started at the plant, at the same time Media stared
Fueling the PMANE
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