“Documents reveal links with anti-Kudankulam protests”
Documents seized from a German national, who was detained from a private lodge here on Sunday, indicate his links with the anti-Kudunkulam Nuclear Power Project movement, according to highly placed sources.
The combined midnight operation was carried out by the personnel of Central and State intelligence agencies, along with the local police.
According to the sources, a combined intelligence team from Chennai, which came to Nagercoil three days ago, watched the movements of the German national.
They found out that his name was R. Sonnaty and that he occupied the room on February 12, from the reception counter of the lodge opposite Sethu Lakshmi Bai Government Higher Secondary School on Court Road. The team also seized a laptop from him.
Tight-lipped
The sources said that he has been taken to Chennai for further interrogation.
The German national's stay in one of the lesser known lodges at Nagercoil raised many questions among the police, who were tight-lipped about his detention.
When contacted over phone, Superintendent of Police, Pravesh Kumar, told The Hindu that he was not supposed to disclose anything about the incident.
However, he confirmed the midnight operation and the subsequent detention.
“Not able to recollect his name”
Convenor of Anti-Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project Struggle Committee, S.P. Udayakumar, told a press conference in Tirunelveli that he was not aware of any such arrest. A German national had met him about 18 months back and discussed the sporadic anti-nuclear protests across the country. Mr. Udayakumar said that he could not recollect the German national's name.
Hi Mr Suresh, isn't it more shameful that the Indian govt asks for foreign aid and often obey foreign governments (or the IMF). Btw please keep in mind that in this case, there is no evidence that the German national provided any financial aid to the protestors. @ Jazz, suppressing speech and free association isn't generally associated with democracies. On your specific point about the US, foreigners in the US can meet with any political group and hold discussions with them. The foreigner won't be deported unless their visa has expired or the foreigner breaks the law. In this case, there is no evidence that the German broke any laws. Talking to Udayakumar is not illegal and the Indian government should not be afraid of speech.
everybody needs power...but some must pay more than the others. In the case of kutunkulam power plant, the locals fear that the plant is not safe and therefore they are forced to pay (perhaps with their lives) more than the actual beneficiaries. As it is a genuine fear, the local people must be taken into confidence through authentic information sharing and guaranteeing them with security in the event of on-toward incidences... The scientists and community workers have a larger role in educating them.
Given that most of the recent examples of affirmative action by the
govt seem to have been cosmetic in nature, I wouldn't place much faith
in the govt's assertion that the German national in question had
anything to do with the KKNP protests. What is this, a soap opera? MMS
said that the anti-MMS protests were all foreign-concocted, and right
from the very next day, these foreign sources and elements are rounded
up. Seems very suspicious.
Much more likely that the individual in question is a drug
addict/supplier or something similar who it is very convenient to
dress up as you need.
Mr. Ram, it is potentially dangerous to allow foreign nationals to
interfere in issues that concern the nation's development. In my
opinion, the detainment and deportation is correct.
Democracy, in principle, allows for free speech. But, strictly
following that can be detrimental to a country's political
establishment.
An Indian citizen protesting in front of Washington Capitol Square
would most probably be arrested and deported, despite prevailing
democracy.
I don't see why we should treat foreigners differently.
The concerns raised by local residents are very valid & deserve due redressal, which is honestly being done by government. But there appears to be a politically/foreign interest motivated propaganda behind this anti nuclear energy demonstration since the protest is happening when reactor reached commissioning stage. Also such a mass movement is carried on for such a long time by selected NGOs is bound to raise eyebrows. Thus the action of government is very much relevant.
Mr Ram...Government getting aid from western countries is different from
individuals & NGO getting aid from western countries...
Thank Heavens! It was not another police encounter!! Only a midnight operation!!
The Indian government gets massive amounts of aid from Western countries. They not only discuss policies, but also obey foreign governments on policy matters.
So it is ironic that they should attack the anti-nuclear-power committee because they discussed Kudankulam with one westerner (the German national). In any case, I hope the police specifically describe the charges against the German national (R Sonnaty) and explain why he needs to be detained. India is a free country and the government has no grounds to prohibit people from meeting Mr Sonnaty.
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