The anti-Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project protesters took out a massive rally from Kudankulam to neighbouring Radhapuram on Sunday in protest against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's announcement at Moscow that the work at KKNPP would commence within a couple of weeks.
Condemning the Indian government's plan to sign an agreement with Russia on establishing 3rd and 4th nuclear reactors at KKNPP during Dr. Singh's recent visit to Moscow, the anti-KKNPP struggle committee had earlier announced that the protesters would be on 72-hour relay fast till Dr. Singh leaves for India.
After the end of the 72-hour-long relay fast around 12.30 p.m., the agitators started their protest rally from Sri Bathrakaaliamman Temple at Kudankulam. Following a simple prayer at the temple, porridge was served to the participants, mostly women, before the 11-km-long procession started.
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Raising slogans against the KKNPP and demanding the scrapping of the nuclear power programme, around 5,000 protesters, holding placards, reached Radhapuram on foot around 3 p.m.
Conference in Kanyakumari
Speaking to reporters at Radhapuram at the end of the rally, anti-KKNPP struggle committee convener S.P. Udayakumar said their agitation would continue till the closure of the nuclear power project. To further intensify the struggle, a conference would be conducted at Kanyakumari on December 29, in which anti-nuke activists from various parts of the country would participate. The next day, nuclear experts of People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE) would meet at the same venue to discuss the issue.
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Hails Chief Minister
He hailed Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for writing to Dr. Singh urging him to effectively and completely allay the fears in the minds of the people living around the KKNPP before taking any decision on the commissioning the nuclear power programme.
“The Chief Minister, by arguing for the wellbeing of the protesting common public, has proved that she is a leader of the masses,” he said.
Dr. Udayakumar also informed that steps had been taken to meet the Chief Minister on an early note.