N-plant on, K'Kulam tense
Tension is rising in nearby Idinthakarai village, where anti-nuke protesters continued ‘fast-to-death’ for the third day Wednesday even as nuclear scientists and technicians, assisted by Russian experts, stepped up work for getting the first 1,000-MW reactor operational at Koodankulam Nuclear Power Project.
“The state government has ensured security through police deployment. We will work round-the-clock to get the plant running as soon as possible. People and industries badly need power and we will deliver on our promise,” a senior plant official said.
Protesters led by S.P. Udayakumar of People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy remained unfazed by the huge police deployment though complaining the government had cut supply of essentials such as water, milk and electricity to break their resolve.
Meanwhile, unidentified miscreants broke the compound wall and ransacked classrooms of a school run by Mr Udayakumar in Nagercoil, about 20 km from Koodankulam, in the early hours of Wednesday.
His wife Meera Udayakumar, school principal, alleged the attack took place immediately after a police
constable posted following an attack by Hindu activists on March 3 left. She said she had been receiving threat calls.
Mr Udayakumar, sitting on a hunger protest at Idinthakarai, was quick to see police hand in the attack. He said a protester arrested by police had phoned his wife to say his life was in danger.
Police denied harassment. “In fact, we are scaling down presence at Idinthakarai and surrounding areas. We are not interested in going there to get Udayakumar. We will wait. Let’s see who blinks first,” said a senior police officer.
Read more: Miscreants ransack Udayakumar school
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