Withdraw cases against agitators on KNPP issue: Stalin to Jayalalithaa

CHENNAI: DMK treasurer M K Stalin today urged Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to withdraw cases filed against agitators, including fishermen, in Kudankulam in accordance with a Supreme Court ruling.

Quoting excerpts from a May 6, 2013 Apex Court verdict related to the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project, which asked Tamil Nadu to withdraw criminal cases against agitators, he sought to know in a statement why it had not been done even nine months after the ruling.

Condemning the state government and recalling several welfare schemes for fishermen initiated during DMK's regime, he said "truly it was only Karunanidhi who had been a friend of the fishermen."

On May 6 last, the Apex Court had said Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant is safe and there is no basis to say it would have adverse impact on the environment and people living nearby.

It said all expert bodies were unanimous in their opinion that KKNPP has fully satisfied all safety norms to safeguard human life, property and environment which would allay fears and apprehensions of people living in and around Kudankulam.

It also laid down 15 guidelines on commissioning, safety, security and environmental issues concerning the plant.

The first unit of KNPP attained criticality in July 2013, while the second one is nearing completion.