Curfew promulgated after anti-nuclear protests in Tamil Nadu

09 May, 2012

According to People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMNAE), the Tamil Nadu police are harassing local people every time they shut their shops in protest against the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project; or travel to neighbouring villages. The police has been photographing protesters; taking down vehicle numbers; and even abuse people using foul language while intimidating them.

ORDER OF curfew have just been issued again right after the People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE) committee made public its plan to organize meetings involving women, the youth, elders of the community, and the Idinthakarai village committee.

Police personnel, in thousands, are being posted around Koodankulam as fast as possible. But those agitating believe that authorities could plan to curb and control the protest and may arrest all involved. The fear is that the government often carries out a pre-dawn operation even as it is public knowledge that thousands of people from several villages sleep around the Church located in Idinthakarai.

It must be noted that on May 8, 2012, agitators in Idinthakarai made public ledgers having thousands of signatures of people from about 60 villages - all opposing the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP). This was cited as clear proof that the state and central governments were acting against the will of locals, and in the process forcefully operationalizing the nuclear power project in an authoritarian way.

On that day 24,000 voter ID cards were produced that the people had surrendered to protest against the governments’ attitude towards the 35 men and 302 women who are on an indefinite hunger striker against the project. In protest, and to keep the interests of India in mind, the locals have launched the “Respect India” Campaign similar to Mahatma Gandhi’s “Quit India” 1942 campaign.

After the curfew came into effect on May 8, PMANE alleges that authorities are trying to divide local communities by announcing a Rs. 500 crore "bribery" package. They also try to stop damaging news, and isolate pople by distancing the Church.