Peoples Movement Against Nuclear Energy asks Tamil Nadu parties to say "no" to new reactors

CHENNAI: Peoples Movement Against Nuclear Energy, spearheading the protests against the Kundankulam nuclear plant, today asked political parties in the state to take a stand against proposed new reactors at the site.

"AIADMK, DMK, the major political parties, DMDK, the main opposition in the Assembly must take a stand against proposed new reactors at Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project site," Coordinator, PMANE, SP Udayakumar said here today.

Kudankulam already has two reactors and four new reactors are scheduled to come up at the site, he said and wanted political parties to unite against the move.

"We met Chief Minister O Panneerselvam yesterday and have given a memorandum seeking efforts to stall proposed new reactors at the site," he said adding similar requests have been made to AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa and DMK president Karunanidhi.

"We will not allow the parties of Tamil Nadu to remain silent on the issue."

The anti-nuclear activist also wanted an "independent, impartial probe," into the Kudankulam plant including its present two reactors and the alleged technical issues being encountered.

He said activists would observe tomorrow as "Nuclear Harm Free Tamil Nadu Day" by holding a fast at Idinthakarai. The coastal hamlet near the plant site has been the epicentre of protests against the nuclear project for several years.

A meeting will be held on December 31 and January 1 at Idinthakarai to deliberate on the "next moves" against nuclear energy, he said.

"We will meet all the political parties of Kerala next month and seek their support to oppose present and proposed reactors at Kudankulam."

On February 19 next, as part of campaign against nuclear energy, a "train yatra" will start from Kanyakumari and end at Dibrugarh in Assam, he added.