Dismissing claims that foreign funds were behind the 400-day agitation against the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant Project, PMANE coordinator S P Udayakumar said, “I did not get a single penny from any agency, local or abroad.”
“This protest is to save the future and life of the fishing community,” said Udayakumar in a choked voice. Hearing this, women, who were present at the Lourdh Matha church in Idinthakarai, broke down. A few others from the crowd took Udayakumar to a boat and moved him to an unknown location. “The protest will continue till the plant is closed. I am visiting this village as an ordinary resident and not as leader of the protestors,” he added.
In the morning, miscreants set fire to the office of the panchayat and village administrative officer at Koodankulam. As a precautionary measure, 400 more personnel from the striking force were deployed at the entrance of Idinthakarai. Meanwhile, over 50 persons, allegedly involved in Monday’s violence were arrested on Tuesday. Police also cleared out logs and boulders put up by the people to prevent the entry of police into the village. While male residents didn’t resist when police entered Koodankulam village, the women preferred to stay indoors. Additional Director General of Police (Law and order) S George told Express that they had visual evidence of persons who tried to attack policemen with logs and fishing nets. “We will arrest all those involved in the violence,” he said, while adding, “The situation is under control now.”
The entire stretch of the Koodankulam Main Road from Kanyakumari to Tiruchendur was brought under police control. IG (South Zone) Rajesh Das said they would arrest Udayakumar if he presented himself before the police.
Kejriwal at Idinthakarai
Aravind Kejriwal, a member of the Anna Hazare movement, also visited Idinthakarai on Tuesday evening and held discussions with the protestors.
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