Cops crush locals’ Jaitapur protest
Thousands of farmers and fishermen marched towards the site of the proposed 9,900 MW Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project (JNPP) to “assert their right” and recapture their land, but were unsuccessful on Wednesday.
The police had imposed heavy bandobast and detentions were made at various locations before the agitators could reach the site. The police imposed prohibitory orders in the area in which gathering of five or more people was also banned.
Villagers from Madban, Karel, Mithgavane, Niveli and Jambhal, who have been affected by the proposed nuclear plant, walked in groups towards the proposed site. As many as 22 activists, including local Shiv Sena legislator Rajan Salvi and other leaders opposing JNPP were arrested by the police.
“Fishermen and land owners attempted to cross the compound wall, but heavy bandobast was imposed. Around 18 villagers will be affected due to the plant. We will have to resort to more stronger means of protest if the government fails to understand our side,” said Mansoor Solkar, representative of fishermen.
Vaishali Patil, convenor of Konkan Vinashkari Prakalp Virodhi Samiti said, “The agitation was conducted peacefully and no violence was reported. Protesters resorted to sit-in agitations along with their cattle in villages. I was not allowed to enter the region.”
The state government has acquired 700 hectares of land for the plant; another 238 hectares has been acquired for building colonies some 10 to 12 kilometres away. The protesters alleged that the land has been acquired forcefully.
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