13 September 2011
RESISTANCE to nuclear power is growing across the world, fuelled by the Japanese disaster and now this week’s explosion in France.
In India, IBN reports that 10,000 fishermen staged a day-long fast protesting against the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) being set up in the district under Indo-Russian collaboration.
It says: “Around 10,000 fishermen from various hamlets in and around Koodankulam joined a core group of more than 100 fellow fishermen of Idinthakarai whose indefinite fast on the issue entered the third day on Monday, police said.
“More than 4,000 people had observed a fast on Sunday protesting against the plant.”
It added in an update: “Expressing their solidarity, hundreds of fishermen from Kanyakumari left for Koodankulam on Monday to participate in the hunger strike that is going on for the closure of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant .
“Led by the Kanyakumari parish priest Leon Kenson, fishermen from Kanyakumari, Kovalam, Chinna Muttom and surrounding areas gathered in front of Our Lady of Ransom Church at Kanyakumari on Monday morning and left for Koodankulam in more than 50 vans.
“Earlier, the country boats in Kanyakumari and over 300 mechanized boats at Chinna Muttom fishing harbour did not venture into the sea as a form of protest.
“Apart from that, the fishermen’s children from Kanyakumari studying at various schools and colleges in the district did not report to their classes today (September 12) and also accompanied their parents to participate in the hunger strike at Koodankulam.”