Jaya against 'USS Nimitz' docking in Chennai

Chennai, June 26: AIADMK supremo and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today took exception to the docking of the world's largest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier 'USS Nimitz' at the Chennai port and urged the Centre not to give permission to it.

In a statement here, she said the Centre should give up its plans to dock 'USS Nimitz' in India's territorial waters forthwith as it would be hazardous to the people of proximate cities.

''This is a serious issue and the possible radiation hazards to the people of Chennai cannot be taken lightly'', she added.

The Water Transport Workers Federation of India had taken up the matter with the Union Shipping Secretary and the Chennai Port Trust Chairman against allowing such a ''deadly and disastrous vessel to enter India's territorial waters''.

Observing that several countries like Australia have denied permission to the warship to enter their shores because of the radiation hazards, Ms Jayalalithaa countered, Defence Minister A K Antony's claim that this had been happening for the last so many years and this was an aspect of defence cooperation with various countries, therefore was specious and could not be accepted.

UNI