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KOODANKULAM |
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Tension eases, wide support base strengthens struggle
Show of solidarity by civil society cementing movement, say PMANE leaders
Jeemon Jacob
Idinthakarai
Tension eases out at Idanthikarai after police withdrew from sensitive areas. People of Idanthikarai, who are on protest against the nuclear power project at Koodankulam, came across as much relaxed on Thursday after police withdrew from surrounding areas. Police pickets were removed and only minimum force is stationed at Koodankulam at the moment. However, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) remains to guard the KNPP entry point.
“Now the situation is better as the district administration reinstated power, water and milk supply. The ration shops also opened. But we will not buy ration. We wanted the government to release our people from jail,” said SP Udayakumar, convenor of the anti-nuke movement. However, bus services to the village still remain terminated. “We wanted bus services to be reinstated,” he added.
The district administration clamped Section 144 of CrPC and deployed 4000 policemen at various points near Idanthikarai after the villagers announced protests. PMANE leaders Udayakumar and Pushparayan Victoria along with 15 others are on a hunger strike since March 19. The police arrested around 212 persons including the parish priest and remanded them to judicial custody.
The stand off continuing over the last five days saw some relief after the Madras high court directed the state government to reinstate power, water and milk supply to the village, which it had earlier cut.
The villagers are getting wider support from across the country as many cities witnessed protest marches expressing solidarity to Koodankulam struggle led by PMANE. “We are getting great response from all parts of the country. More and more social activists are coming forward to express their solidarity with us. Protests were held in around 15 centres in India. It’s giving us great strength and motivating us to put up great struggle,” said Udayakumar.
Jeemon Jacob is Bureau Chief, South with Tehelka.
jeemonj@gmail.com |
