One can expect a series of protests in Tirunelveli district over the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) in the next few days – both for and against.

About 100 anti-nuclear activists have geared up for a protest yatra from Madurai to Kudankulam that will begin on Thursday (November 10) and end on November 13. Organised by the National Alliance of Anti-Nuclear Movements, the activists would take out the yatra under the banner Chennai Solidarity Group for Kudankulam Struggle.

They would comb the villages on the way educating people about the ‘terrible environmental and health effects of nuclear energy’. At the end of their journey, there would be a ‘National conference on safety issues at nuclear installations in India’.

There would also be a seminar for students. Participating in the yatra would be nuclear physicist Suvrat Raju, Prof Banwarilal Sharma, mathematician and former president of the International Congress of Mathematics and Thomas Kochery of National Fishworkers Forum, according to a release.

While the anti-nuclear activists are busy with their yatra, there is another protest brewing in Kudankulam to counter the anti wave. It is being organised by Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) on Friday (Nov 11). The protest is being spearheaded by the Tirunelveli MP (Congress) SS Ramasubbu. Speaking to the media he said that the visit of former President APJ Abdul Kalam has ushered in a change in the mindset of the local people and they are ready to favour the plant.

Meanwhile, in a communiqué the Bishop of Tuticorin Rt Rev Yvon Ambrose on Wednesday said: ‘As per the Catholic Church’s teachings and the Tamil Nadu Bishop Council’s resolution, I continue to show my solidarity with my people who are under great fear and anxiety concerning Kudankulam Nuclear Plant. I stand united with the people morally and spiritually.’

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