At least 1,500 anti-nuclear activists and leaders of different political outfits were detained when they tried to lay siege to the Assembly seeking scrapping of Kudankulam nuclear power project (KKNPP).
MDMK general secretary Vaiko, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader and MP Thol.Thirumavalavan, pro-Tamil leader P. Nedumaran along with hundreds of activists and fishermen were detained by police when they took out a march towards the secretariat.
Strongly opposing the KKNPP, Vaiko alleged India had secretly agreed to provide power to Sri Lanka from the KNPP.
Thirumavalavan said Kudankulam, Kalpakkam and all nuclear power stations in the country should be closed.
He said the CM should make efforts to close the project as soon as possible.
The nuclear fuel has already been loaded in the plant, which is awaiting approval from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) for commissioning.
The activists have decided to step up pressure even as the Supreme Court is hearing a petition challenging the approval given to the plant based on the fact that the safety recommendations made by the government-appointed task force have not been complied with.