Mass protest grows against Kudankulam nuclear power plant in India

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Thousands of people, including women and children, have gathered since Sunday on the southern coast of India, to protest against the operation of the nuclear power plant of Kudankulam and the nuclear program of the government.

An official announcement stated that the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board's inspection of the reactor pressure vessel of Unit-1 was completed and enriched uranium fuel will be loaded into the first 1000-mw-reactor this month. This was the reason for the people to raise another protest since March this year.

The government ordered 4,000 policemen to monitor the surrounding area around the plant site. 300 policemen were in the village of Idinthakarai in the Tirunelveli district. Groups of people tried to block a road and a railway.

On Tuesday the BBC World News reported that a 44-year-old fishermen was killed by police while shooting to disperse the demonstrating groups.

Authorities of an English TV channel made a complaint because a cameraperson was allegedly injured during the police action.

The protests spread to different towns and villages. A group of scientists, doctors, environmentalists, environmental activists, students, and concerned citizens met yesterday in front of the Vidyasagar Statue in College Square, Kolkata to show solidarity with the demonstration around Kudankulam.

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Sister links

Nuclear power in India

Economy of India

Kudankulam Atomic Power Project

Sources

Kudankulam: Fuel loading has not begun at nuclear plant, says AERB chairman — The Economic Times, September 13, 2012
BT Online Bureau. Police crack down protest against Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant — Business Today (business magazine), September 13, 2012
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project protests spread to Chennai — The Indian Express, September 11, 2012
BBC Nes. Security tight after India nuclear plant protest death — BBC News Online, September 11, 2012
South Asia Solidarity Group and Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. Support for Koodankulam From London: Statement by CND, South Asia Solidarity Group — DiaNuke.org, September 10, 2012

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