Tirunelveli:
Hundreds of protesters near the new Kudankulam nuclear plant in Tamil Nadu made it impossible for union minister V Narayanasamy to address them. "Shut the plant", they yelled. The minister was quick to reassure them. "People's safety first. Power later," he promised, adding that the Prime Minister will decide whether to stop work on the nuclear plant.
Mr Narayanasamy, who is Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, had been deputed by Dr Manmohan Singh to meet with villagers and reassure them that the nuclear plant meets international safety standards.
But when he tried to deliver a speech, protesters started shouting at him. Before that, Mr Narayanasamy had said, "All the safety measures are intact. We are hopeful that we will be able to convince people and allay any fears about the safety of nuclear plant."
Yesterday, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa sent a strong note to the PM, asking why the government has not deputed anyone to talk to villagers about their fears. She said the Centre has "abdicated its responsibility." The PM called her a few hours later and said a minister would reach her state today.
Protests by residents have been escalating mainly over security for the plant. Various experts have certified that the nuclear plant is designed to withstand a tsunami and is not located in a region prone to earthquakes. But 100 people are reportedly on a hunger fast.
The nuclear plant, a joint venture with the Russians, is expected to help reduce Tamil Nadu's considerable power problems. The first of its two nuclear reactors is scheduled to start operations next month.
The Russian government is unhappy with the latest developments. "We think that the protests that are growing now in Tamil Nadu against the power station are a rather unfortunate development. We think this is an internal matter of India, but we hope that this problem can be settled by discussions between the central government, the Department of Atomic Energy, local authorities, and the people who are now protesting in Kudankulam," said senior counsellor at the Russian Embassy, Sargei Karmalito.
The nuclear plant was sanctioned by the central government in 1988. It is expected to cost $3.5 billion and is being built by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL).
Mr Narayanasamy, who is Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, had been deputed by Dr Manmohan Singh to meet with villagers and reassure them that the nuclear plant meets international safety standards.
But when he tried to deliver a speech, protesters started shouting at him. Before that, Mr Narayanasamy had said, "All the safety measures are intact. We are hopeful that we will be able to convince people and allay any fears about the safety of nuclear plant."
Yesterday, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa sent a strong note to the PM, asking why the government has not deputed anyone to talk to villagers about their fears. She said the Centre has "abdicated its responsibility." The PM called her a few hours later and said a minister would reach her state today.
Protests by residents have been escalating mainly over security for the plant. Various experts have certified that the nuclear plant is designed to withstand a tsunami and is not located in a region prone to earthquakes. But 100 people are reportedly on a hunger fast.
The nuclear plant, a joint venture with the Russians, is expected to help reduce Tamil Nadu's considerable power problems. The first of its two nuclear reactors is scheduled to start operations next month.
The Russian government is unhappy with the latest developments. "We think that the protests that are growing now in Tamil Nadu against the power station are a rather unfortunate development. We think this is an internal matter of India, but we hope that this problem can be settled by discussions between the central government, the Department of Atomic Energy, local authorities, and the people who are now protesting in Kudankulam," said senior counsellor at the Russian Embassy, Sargei Karmalito.
The nuclear plant was sanctioned by the central government in 1988. It is expected to cost $3.5 billion and is being built by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL).
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