By IANS,
Chennai : The people’s struggle against the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) in Tamil Nadu enters its 100th day Thursday.
The movement against the two 1,000 MW reactors being built by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) in Tirunelveli district’s Kudankulam area, about 650 km from here, began Aug 16 at Idinthakarai and is spearheaded by the People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE).
“The anti-KNPP struggle began Aug 16 and Thursday will be the 100th day. We will be conducting a blood donation camp at Idinthakarai, near Kudankulam,” M. Pushparayan, convener of the Coastal People’s Federation and a PMANE leader, told IANS.
The struggle is now in its third phase as there were two breaks in the relay fast – the first between Sep 21-Oct 9 and the second break on Oct 17 for the local governing body elections.
Villagers fear for their lives and safety in case of any nuclear accident and the long-term impact the nuclear plant would have on the population.
Their agitation has put a stop to the project work, thereby delaying the commissioning of the first unit by several months and increasing the project cost from the budgeted Rs.13,171 crore.
The staying power of the activists and the support from the local people has put the spotlight on Kudankulam.
“Once the fishermen decide on a thing, they remain steadfast. As to the funds, the fishermen’s association in each village chips in with funds. There are no major expenses for us except water and the tent. It is a fasting protest so there is no expense on food,” Pushparayan said.
He said fishing villages which participate in the relay fast take care of the expenses for their team.
Activists are upset that their protest is being termed anti-national by some quarters and that police are booking cases against the demonstrators.
Tirunelveli police have booked cases against the protestors for trespassing and also for waging war against the nation.
“Let the authorities put up glowing buoys so that fishermen know the line of demarcation. Anti-nuclear power does not mean anti-national,” Pushparayan remarked.