Nuclear protest: Fishermen block port with small craft
22 Sep 2012
The protests against the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) project took a fresh turn today as fishermen from Tutcorin and Kanyakumari districts have joined those from Idinthakarai to block movement of ships to and from VOC Port (formerly Tuticorin port).
The new protest was in response to commencement of filling of uranium in the reactors at KNPP. Hundreds of fishermen in catamarans and small boats have blocked the port's approach channel in mid-sea since around 8 am to make sure that ships do not enter or exit the harbour.
The protest comes despite an appeal by the Shipping Minister G K Vasan on Friday not to resort to such measures which would affect foreign trade by blocking exports and imports.
The port has made elaborate security arrangements to make sure the fishermen do not enter the harbour. In fact after over five hours of the protest, fishermen are now reported to be gradually heading back to their villages.
The protest was called by People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE), which is spearheading the protest at Idinthakarai village, near to the KNPP, for over 400 days now. They fear that discharge from the plant will destroy their livelihood as well as the environment in general.
The protesters have also said that on 25 September they will lay siege to all the central government offices in the state, followed by a high-level seminar-cum-meeting at Idinthakarai on 27 September.
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