Centre tells TN to act against KNPP protestors

Chennai, Dec 17: With no solution in sight to end the protest against Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant, the Centre today asked the Tamil Nadu government to act against the protestors since cases have already been filed.

"Why has the state government not acted against the protestors (despite filing cases)", Minister of State in the PMO V Narayanaswamy asked. Criticising the protestors' act of preventing scientists from proceeding to work in the plant, he also expressed the Centre's willingness to hold talks with them.

Recalling Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement that the first reactor would be operational in a few weeks and the second in another six months, he told reporters, "This would address the power needs of Tamil Nadu and the cost of per unit would be around Rs 2.80."

KNPP has hit a roadblock following intensified agitation from locals who want the plant to be shut down, citing the Fukushima nuclear disaster earlier this year.

PTI