Opposition to the Jaitapur nuclear power project reached a flashpoint with villagers from Madban in Ratnagiri district on Monday opposing a soil survey at the site of the largest such project in the world. Local people attacked the contractors and labourers who had come in a truck to conduct a soil survey. Six persons, including Pravin Gavhankar of the Janhit Seva Samiti and four women, were arrested.
Police said that some machines were taken to Madban for a survey and the local people opposed it. The incident took place at around three p.m. Premanand Tivarkar from Madban told The Hindu overphone that some contractors and labourers had come in a truck to carry out work. “They did not have any permission and the entire thing was illegal,” he said.
Local women came out in large numbers and attacked the workers, forcing them to run away. Tiwarker said that the police, after asking for re-inforcements, engaged with the local people and beat them up. Several people were injured in the fracas.
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“We did not allow them to do any work,” said another villager. Even though the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has acquired the land for the project in Madban and other villages, local people have not accepted the compensation and are opposing the project.
A week ago, contractors were prevented from cutting trees at another village Niveli, a villager said. People have threatened to launch a ‘jail bharo andolan' if the work continues for the project, according to Shailesh Waghdare of the Madban Jaitapur Mithgavane Panchkroshi Sangharsh Samiti.
NPCIL Project Director Mr. C.B. Jain said that pre-project activities at the site, like taking of soil samples, had to be taken up.
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“Our contractors had gone there for soil investigation. They went under police escort but some people assaulted them,” Mr Jain said.
He said that work would resume tomorrow or the day after with full protection. Extra police force would be provided for the surveys for the foundation of the project.