State Govt Supports Concerns of Kudankulam The Tamil Nadu state government has, in principle, agreed to the concerns of people in Kudankulam, living next to Russian  nuclear reactors being commissioned, afraid of being cutoff in case of an accident at the reactor.
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It is heartening to know that 103 crusaders at Kudankulam, who staked their lives during the indefinite fast have withdrawn the same after 12 days, while the struggle itself continues to march ahead of this first victory. It is also appreciable that the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu who held a dialogue with the people in agitation and has taken a position against continuation of the nuclear power plant as indicated through her letter asking the centre to stop the work. The State of Tamil Nadu should save itself, its own people, fish workers and farmers from any future disaster, something which it witnessed during the colossal calamity of Tsunami.

The State Cabinet’s decision and resolution, if necessary on the floor of the Assembly, needs to follow. The Centre, though acting late, sent Mr. V Narayanaswamy, Minister of State, PMO, after our dialogue with the central Ministers as well as Narayanaswamy himself. The struggle made it possible that they too had to take the people’s views and sentiments, especially with regard to safety, into consideration. ‘Safety above energy’ should mean a complete review of the nuclear projects as well as the policy itself, declaring suspension of work on plants like Kudankulam, where the project is pushed ahead without people’s consent and due consideration of the severe impacts on live and livelihood, including land, water and fish. The MoEF should also record that there has been no proper public hearing conducted for Unit – I & II of Kudankulam NPP, an secretive attempt was foiled in 2006, which was later ‘said as complete’ in 2007 without recording people’s objection and resistance to the whole plant.

We salute the courageous and committed people, women and children at the forefront, with the physically challenged who were also on fast.  We also congratulate the collective leadership in Kudankulam which must continue with unabated unity, rising above party politics and with continued commitment to the cause. The National Alliance of People’s Movements will always support and join you whenever needed. We will surely raise the issue at the national and international fora.  NAPM is also in the process of constituting a People’s Commission of Inquiry to investigate the nuclear plants and policy in India, with your consent and participation. The world has witnessed, suffered and is more than aware of the threat of nuclearization and is coming out of the hazardous and disastrous form of energy. India must aspire to become not a nuclear superpower, but a democratic super power, for which we all must continue to strive and struggle for.

Medha Patkar           D. Gabriele        Geeta Ramakrishnan   Geo Jose     Fr. Augustine

Ph: 09423965153 / 9442511292
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National Alliance of People’s Movements
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Posted by collective at September 25, 2011 03:59 PM