PMANE plans 'jal satyagraha' throughout TN coast

(TN), Sept 20: Stepping up their protest against the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, anti-nuclear activists have now decided to go in for 'jal satyagraha' throughout the Tamil Nadu coast on Sept 22.

"Fisherfolk along with anti-nuclear activists will observe Jal satyagraha in the sea from 10 AM to 2 PM in the form of a human chain from Chennai to Kanyakumari (at the respective coastal hamlets)," SP Udayakumar, convener of the Peoples Movement Against Nuclear Energy spearheading the stir, told reporters at Koothakuzhi, ten km from here.

After that, they will observe fast upto 6 PM at the respective coastal hamlets in front of churches, Udayakumar, evading arrest since Sept 10 and now facing a non-bailable warrant, said.

On the same day, the Tuticorin port would be blocked using boats of fishermen, Udayakumar said, adding, fishermen have been requested to do the same in Kanyakumari, Rameswaram and Chennai. Udayakumar said it was also decided to picket Central government offices in the state on Sept 25.

At Idinthakarai, focal point of the agitation, where there was no Central government office, people would sit in dharna at the local burial ground in a symbolic protest. All political parties and social outfits, supporting the cause of the PMANE, have been requested to take part.

"The next course of action will be decided on Sept 25 at Idinthakarai," Udayakumar said.

On Sept 10, anti-nuclear activists tried to lay siege to the KNPP protesting against loading of fuel in the reactor but were thwarted by police, prompting police to lob teargas shells and resort to lathicharge to quell them.

PTI