Anti-nuke protest in Tamilnadu state turns violent

(Sept. 11, 2012) A fisherman was shot by police as an anti-nuclear protest in southern India’s Tamil Nadu state spread and turned violent on Monday. 44-year-old Antony John, died after police opened fire at a group protesting in Manappad village in Tuticorin district, about 57 kms from the nuclear plant. The state government has announced compensation of 500,000 rupees (US$ 9020) for the victim’s family, but people are demanding a judicial enquiry, rejecting the police explanation that they fired in “self-defense.” Protests have gathered momentum since the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board gave the go-ahead last month for the installation of 163 enriched uranium fuel rods in the first of two 1,000 MW reactors in Koodankulam village in Tirunelveli district. Thousands of people arrived at the facility on Monday and police fired tear-gas shells when the protesters tried to proceed toward the plant in 10 fiberglass boats. Police said the protesters started pelting stones and came very close to the nuclear plant. Many jumped into the sea to escape police action. “Protesters had plans to invade the nuclear plant and we were forced to take preventive action,” K. Ramanujam, police director-general, told reporters in Chennai on Monday. The protesters were chased away from the site and are now on a 48-hour hunger strike at Lourde Matha Church in Idinthakarai village, four kms from the plant. S. P. Udayakumar, the coordinator of People’s Movement against Nuclear Energy (PMANE), which is spearheading the protest, told reporters from an undisclosed location that the fight against the nuclear plant will continue.