[Reader-list] "Green signal for Koodankulam is a red signal for our lives"

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Date: 20 March 2012
Subject: "Grren signal for Koodankulam is a red signal for our lives"


Tehelka - India's Independent Weekly News
Magazine<http://www.tehelka.com/story_main52.asp?filename=Ws200312Nuclear.asp>


*Posted on 20 March 2012*
    *CURRENT AFFAIRS*
NUCLEAR

“Green signal for Koodankulam is a red signal for our lives”

*People’s Movement against Nuclear Energy activists continue indefinite
hunger strike even as police arrest 212 protesters *

*Jeemon Jacob *
Thiruvananthapuram

Thousands of Koodankulam protesters gathered in front of St Lourdes church

Tamil Nadu government started “operation Koodankulam “on Monday 19 March,
arresting 203 protesters and blocking all entry points to the coastal
villages surrounding the Nuclear power plant. Police arrested 185 men
including parish priest Father Suseelan at Kottupuli village where they
were protesting against the deployment of police forces. They were taken to
Tirunelveli Armed Reserve Camp. Later Police arrested 18 men from
Koodankulam on charges of staging protests and violating Section 144 of the
Indian Penal Code.
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Police started the crackdown on anti-nuclear plant protesters early on 19
March arresting nine people including People’s Movement against Nuclear
Energy (PMANE) legal advisor Sivasubramanian and Rajalingam. They are being
charged with sedition including Sections 121, 121A and 153A. They were
taken to Tirunelveli. Around 4000 state police and 400 central police
officials have been deployed in the area. Police have set up seven more
police pickets around Koodankulam Nuclear plant and blocked entry points.

According to Dr SP Udaykumar , convener People’s Movement against Nuclear
Energy, who is on a indefinite hunger strike along with Pusparayan, his
associate at Idinthakarai, around 5000 people assembled at the St Lourdes
Church ground since Monday. “We, eight men and seven women, are on an
indefinite hunger strike. The green signal for Koodankulam is a red signal
for our lives. We will continue our protest till we die,” said Udayakumar.

To beat the police blockade, protesters were seen using fishing boats to
ferry people to the protest grounds. “We were able to bring our people to
Idinthakarai On Monday. But this morning (Tuesday) onwards, the Coast Guard
and Navy used helicopters for surveillance in the area,” said Udayakumar.

Police have also intensified patrolling in the area and are waiting for
orders from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha to enter Idinthakarai.
Additional Director General of Police S George, is camping in the area and
overseeing the Koodankulam operation.

According to a senior Police official, the state government wanted a
‘silent clearance operation’ in Koodankulam. “We have requested media to
vacate the premises and sealed all entry points. We will use force only as
a last resort,” said the police official who wished to remain anonymous.
According to sources, the Police have cut power supply to Idinthakarai and
are planning to delink the water supply to the village.

7 women and 8 men have been on an indefinite hunger strike

“We are protesting peacefully. We will continue our protests till our
demands are met,” said Pushparayan. According to him, they protesters want
an immediate release of people arrested and the withdrawal of Tamil Nadu
cabinet resolution. “We have been ditched by the Tamil Nadu government,
they will pay for the betrayal and treachery,” Udayakumar told TEHELKA.

Udayakumar asked why the state government was not ready to conduct the
safety drill around the 30 kilometer radius of the power plant which
mandatory before commissioning a Nuclear plant. “The government is
violating basic safety requirements before commissioning the plant. In such
a situation ,we have no other option,” said Udayakumar. He warned of public
health problems and food shortage at Idinthakarai and appealed to the
people of Tamil Nadu to be aware of, “this assault on the Tamil community”.

“They [government] are preparing to load uranium fuel rods into the reactor
without conducting safety or evacuation drills. This kind of Fascist
development is taking our country to another round of New East India
Companies and Neo-colonialism,” said Udayakumar. Dr V Suresh, National
Secretary, PUCL, Tamil Nadu-Puducherry condemned the of police action by
the Tamil Nadu State Government against peacefully demonstrators in
Koodankulam.

“The Police action against Idinthakrai villagers resembles the
Jalianwalabagh incident and raises concerns about the state government’s
intention. This action comes immediately after the Sankarankovil
by-elections.” said Dr Suresh. The PUCL has demanded an immediate and
unconditional release of all arrested villagers and withdrawal of Police
force from the area.

*Jeemon Jacob is Bureau Chief, South with Tehelka.*
jeemonj at gmail.com