The Human Rights Forum (HRF) strongly condemns the ongoing arbitrary repression by the Tamil Nadu government on peaceful agitators protesting against the commissioning of the nuclear energy plant at Kudankulam in Tirunelveli district. The crackdown follows a recent volte-face by the AIADMK government which is now backing the reopening of the plant.
According to our information, a massive police force has affected a virtual blockade of the area. The police are standing guard at Idinthakarai, the epicenter of the struggle, and are disallowing movement into and away from the area. We have learnt that food has been completely blocked and there are only limited medical supplies in the area. Since Idinthakarai has no reliable source of fresh water, it requires about 50 tankers of water per day to meet the people’s needs. However, since March 19, when the police were deployed they have not been allowing any water tankers to reach the villagers and consequently, there is a serious scarcity of water in the area. The media is also not being allowed in.
These are despicable methods being employed by the Tamil Nadu government to suppress a legitimate and totally peaceful movement. The anti-nuclear power plant struggle is being waged since several months by the people of Idinthakarai and other surrounding villages. Those opposing the plant include fishers, farm labourers, small peasants and members of various occupational classes. HRF believes that the anti-nuclear power plant struggle is a just one.
This unwarranted and illegal exercise of police force must stop. HRF demands that the unannounced blockade must be lifted and the huge police force immediately withdrawn from the Idinthakarai area. Essential services like food, water, medical supplies and transport must be restored and the media allowed access to the area. The State government must engage in democratic discussions with the protesters instead of persisting with such intimidatory tactics..
VS Krishna
(HRF State general secretary)
S Jeevan Kumar
(HRF State president)
21.03.2012
Hyderabad