Koodankulam town tense as protest intensifies

The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)’s recent announcement to conduct initial fuel loading (IFL) in Koodankulam Nuclear Power Station-1 on September 11th has met with general disapproval and serious apprehensions of possible police crackdown on Idinthakarai and other surrounding villages where people have been agitating against the project in consistently peaceful and democratic manner.

While independent experts, eminent citizens and social figures have opposed commissioning of the reactor without addressing the crucial concerns, the People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE) has intensified the struggle on the ground through a Satyagraha starting today.

The news about enhanced police force in Koodankulam has raised apprehensions that the government will resort to large-scale repression, violating people’s right to peaceful protests. Already more than 7,000 people in Koodankulam are facing serious charges like sedition and war against the state.

We urge that both the State and the Central Governments observe utmost restraint in dealing with people’s agitation.  We also reiterate our demand that the Koodankulam and other reactor projects must be stopped and following an immediate moratorium on the nuclear expansion, the government should go for widest possible democratic consultation on desirability and feasibility of nuclear energy projects in India.