Anti-nuke camp hope for a “remarkable change”

CAPTION : FOR DAILY : TIRUNELVELI : APRIL : 30/04/2012 : Tirunelveli District Collector R. Selvaraj (extreem left) and DIG Varatharaju (second from left) and SP Vijeyendra S. Bidari (third from left) holding talks with the representatives of Anti Kudankulam Nucliar Power Project protesters on the Collectorate premises on Monday. Photo: A_SHAIKMOHIDEEN CAPTION : FOR DAILY : TIRUNELVELI : APRIL : 30/04/2012 : Tirunelveli District Collector R. Selvaraj (extreem left) and DIG Varatharaju (second from left) and SP Vijeyendra S. Bidari (third from left) holding talks with the representatives of Anti Kudankulam Nucliar Power Project protesters on the Collectorate premises on Monday. Photo: A_SHAIKMOHIDEEN - CAPTION : FOR DAILY : TIRUNELVELI : APRIL : 30/04/2012 : Tirunelveli District Collector R. Selvaraj (extreem left) and DIG Varatharaju (second from left) and SP Vijeyendra S. Bidari (third from left) holding talks with the representatives of Anti Kudankulam Nucliar Power Project protesters on the Collectorate premises on Monday. Photo: A_SHAIKMOHIDEEN

The anti-Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project protestors' representatives, who held talks with the Collector and police officials here on Monday evening, have expressed hope that there would be “a remarkable change in the present status” of the ongoing struggle against the nuclear power project within next two or three days.

Speaking to reporters after holding talks with Collector R. Selvaraj, Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Tirunelveli Range, V. Varadharaju, and Superintendent of Police Vijayendra S. Bidari, founder of ‘Thamizhar Kalam' Rev. Fr. Arimavalavan told reporters that they had asked the official machinery to hold the disaster management mock drill and share with the protestors the Indo-Russian agreement documents pertaining to the insurance cover that would be provided to the locals, and the documents relating to the geological, hydrological and oceanography surveys conducted in and around the project site. Moreover, cases filed against the protestors should be withdrawn unconditionally, he said.

“The officials gave a patient hearing to all our appeals, which were also given to them in black and white. They have assured us to forward our sentiments to the State government and get back to us within a couple of days for a few more rounds of talks. Hence, we firmly believe that there will be a remarkable change within the next three days,” Rev. Fr. Arimavalavan said adding that he would tell the protestors at Idinthakarai about the deliberations held at the Collectorate.

“Only after discussing the outcome (of today's talks with the officials) with the protestors at Idinthakarai tonight, we can say anything about the commencement of proposed indefinite fast from May 1.”

He also informed that both sides had agreed to meet again this week.

Led by Rev. Fr. Arimavalavan, 12 persons from various coastal hamlets participated in Monday's talks.

Official sources here said that there could be another round of talks on Thursday between both sides in which “crucial decisions or amicable agreements” could be arrived at.