TIRUNELVELI: As news about the explosion at a nuclear site in Marcoule, southern France reached the fasting agitators in Idinthakarai, the call to shut down the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) almost reached a feverish pitch.The activists were quick to point out that this was just another example of the danger that nuclear reactors could pose to the community. Today’s agitation saw as many as 127 people, including 25 women, continuing their indefinite hunger strike at Idinthakarai in Tirunelveli district. Apart from these 127, another 11,000 joined the relay hunger strike at the venue on Monday and a large number of people from neighbouring Thoothukudi and Kanyakumari districts also arrived and participated in stir. The agitators charged that the State government was indifferent to their hunger strike even though it was intensifying with every passing day. “Our protests indicate that the nuclear project is being implemented against the wishes of thousands of people,” said Sahayaraj of Idinthakarai, who is on an indefinite hunger strike.He further added that the government tries to ignore the protests and no one from the government has spoken a word about KKNPP. “The step-motherly attitude of the government towards this agitation make us feel that we are not even considered as Indian citizens,” he said in an aggrieved note. S P Udayakumar, an anti-nuclear activist said that this was not a struggle by a selective group of people. “Authorities are giving a colour that it is a struggle by fishermen against a nuclear project. But the fact is that all sections of people are participating in it,” he said. Substantiating Udayakumar’s claim, Balaprajathipathi of Ayya Vazhi, a religious cult, said that initially people from Nadar community supported KKNPP believing that they will be given job opportunities.“But now we regret for the support given to the project during the initial stages as it is disastrous,” Balaprajathipathi said, adding that next to fishermen, Nadars were going to be worst hit in the case of a disaster.Pushparayan, another activist, said that since the government has shown an indifferent attitude, they have decided to intensify the protests. “Apart from this indefinite hunger strike, we are also discussing about intensifying the agitations by other means,” he informed. On Monday, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) General Secretary Vaiko visited the protest venue and expressed solidarity with the people. “You are struggling for the well-being of the people of Tamil Nadu and not just for you alone. Our party will be with you,” he assured.Meanwhile, Radhapuram MLA S Michael Rayappan told Express that DMDK would move special a calling attention motion regarding KKNPP in the Assembly on Tuesday. “We are told that the government would clarify its stand on KKNPP tomorrow,” he said.
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