Tension eases at Kudankulam nuclear project site

A considerable improvement was reported today at Idinthakarai village in Tamil Nadu, the centre of the protests against the Kudankulam nuclear power project. The police have removed some barriers and are allowing the entry of vehicles into the area.

Protests had escalated at the project site after the state government led by chief minister J Jayalalithaa of the AIADMK on Tuesday gave a go-ahead for the project, which it had earlier opposed. Subsequently, security forces had escorted some 300 scientists and technicians into the site amid almost unprecedented security, involving both state police and central forces.

Security forces have also started cracking down on the protestors, led by the People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE).

Normal life in this coastal hamlet has been paralysed over the past two days, with villagers taking precautionary measures to prevent the arrest of their leaders.

There was speculation last night that the police could arrest Dr S P Udhayakumar, convenor of PMANE. This has not happened so far, but the villagers maintained an all-night vigil against the possibility.

Udhayakumar is facing charges of sedition and waging war against the country, and could be arrested any time – some reports say it may happen today. He is on an indefinite hunger strike in Idinthakarai along with a number of fellow-activists.