MDMK general secretary Vaiko on Tuesday lambasted the Centre for giving its nod for setting up the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) in Theni, but scientists associated with the project allayed all apprehensions about it.
Mr. Vaiko, who was here to participate in a function, charged that “under the guise of development, establishing a laboratory would mean destruction of natural resources.” “Let me tell them, Tamil Nadu is neither a place for conducting tests nor are the people here guinea pigs,” he said.
Nonetheless, the director and chief spokesperson of the Rs.1,500-crore INO project, Naba K. Mondal, said that he was ready to meet Mr. Vaiko and explain its advantages.
He also appealed to all political parties in Tamil Nadu to extend their support for this multi-institution research project, which would be a big boost for basic science research and advanced studies in particle physics.
“I look forward to meeting Mr. Vaiko and clear all his apprehensions about INO project. We are ready to send him material about what the neutrino observatory is all about. I am sure he will be convinced after reading that,” Dr. Mondal told The Hindu over phone on Tuesday.
