TTPK Participated in the Statewide agitation to lift cases upon Anti-nuclear protesters!

Members of various political parties and anti-nuclear outfits participated in protests in various parts of the state against the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Project on Wednesday.

In the massive agitation held in front of the Cuddalore collector’s office, K  Venkatraman of Tamizh Desa Podhuvudamai Katchi said “Gandhiji advocated for sustainable development and adopted non-violent path to fight for independence. We have chosen his birthday to hold this State-wide agitation on Koodankulam as this matter is also related to pressing for sustainable development and is a non-violent protest.”

He said that Koodankulam people did not involve in any violence throughout their struggle. But about 1,000 cases had been slapped against them. They are protesting only against the anti-Tamil Nadu attitude of the Centre. Hence, the State should withdraw all the cases against the Koodankulam protesters.

Founder of Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK), T Velmurugan said, “We have two main demands. One is shutting down of nuclear plant in Koodankulam and secondly all the cases against the protesters should be withdrawn.  He said that the project was a danger to southern part of Tamil Nadu. Hence, all the parties and movements should unite in opposing the project.

The members of People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy, besides the workers of parties including the MDMK and PMK, took part in the demonstrations in various parts of the State.

In Tiruchy, the protest was held near Anna Statue in Chinthamani. A Abdul Hakkim, district president, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi led the protest.

Protests, attended by hundreds of activists were reported from Karur, Pudukottai, Udhagamandalam and Tirunelveli and Thanjavur.

In Thanjavur, P Maniyarasan, general secretary of TDPK cited the example of Japan that shut down the last nuclear reactor recently. He also highlighted the decision of Germany to do away with the nuclear power.

In Karur, the protest was led by district division convener of Nam Thamizhar katchi, Murali.

About 150 members of People’s Movement Against Koodankulam Nuclear Power Project participated in the agitation in Pudukottai town.

Cauvery Rights Committee to embark on Rail Roko stir!

Members of the Cauveri Rights Retrieval Committee(CRRC) will embark on rail roko agitation in the Cauvery Delta areas in Tamil Nadu on October 4, to urge the Union Government to ensure that the Karnataka government releases 2 tmc of water per day from river Cauvery to till October 30. Addressing a press conference here, the Committee's Co-ordinator P Maniarasan said various political parties, including MDMK, Nam Tamilar movement, Vidhuthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi, CPI (ML), Tamil desa Poduudamai Katchi and other like minded parties and representatives of the different farmer's Associations were expected to participate in the proposed agitation.

He said though Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh requested the Karnataka government to release 9000 cusecs of water per second, Karnataka refused to obey the Prime Minister direction. 

The Prime Minister could insist on Karnataka under Article 355 of the Constitution to obey his direction. But he has use his constitutional powers, he alleged. It was very unfortunate that several Kannada organisations and political parties in Karnataka were protesting against release of water to Tamil Nadu. But Tamil Nadu not been adopting such a stand.

Due to the Karnataka's adament and in human attitude, Tamil Nadu has already lost kuruvai paddy cultivation over 5 lakh acres and paddy in 16 lakh acres may also be affected, he alleged. He said the committee would launch an agitation opposing power supply to Karnataka from Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) every day, if that state does not change its stand in spite of CRRC's appeal.