16 May 2012

Idinthakarai

There are reports in the media today that the KKNPP has received three inland letters threatening them with possible bomb attacks. The PMANE has no role whatsoever in this as we have been leading a peaceful, democratic and nonviolent struggle for the past nine months without even a single incident of violence.

In fact, the members of the PMANE Struggle Committee have also been receiving several death threats, and some of the physically challenged men of Koodankulam were brutally attacked by the police on October 13, 2011 in front of the Koodankulam plant. These incidents have been glossed over by the police and the governments.

On May 11, 2012 one of our Struggle Committee members, Mr. V. Rajalingam from Koodankulam, was badly beaten up and verbally abused at 5:15 PM near the East Bazaar of Kodankulam by Mr. Stanley Jones, Vallioor Deputy Superintendent of Police and Mr. Rajapaul, Inspector of Koodankulam police station. Both Mr. Rajalingam and one Mr. R. K. Selvakumar who witnessed this brutal attack have submitted written and signed depositions at the Public Hearing conducted on May 14, 2012 in Chennai by the Chennai Solidarity Group for Koodankulam Struggle.

Use of Sedition Law Undermines Free Expression
May 11, 2012

The Tamil Nadu protesters are simply speaking out on an issue of great public concern. Filing police cases against peaceful protesters happens in China, but should never happen in a rights-respecting democracy.

Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director (Delhi) – Indian authorities should drop sedition cases against peaceful protesters opposed to the construction of a nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu state. At least 3,500 people are facing police investigations into allegations of sedition and “waging war” against the state for protesting against the plant in Kudankulam, according to a recent report by local activists.

Human Rights Watch urged the Indian parliament to repeal the colonial-era sedition law, which has frequently been used by authorities around the country to silence dissent.

“The Tamil Nadu protesters are simply speaking out on an issue of great public concern,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Filing police cases against peaceful protesters happens in China, but should never happen in a rights-respecting democracy.”

On 10th day of the indefinite hunger protest by Idinthakarai people, activists in Chennai started hunger strike in solidarity with Idinthakarai people.

Today, four young activists including two women representing ‘People Confederation against Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant’ has begun 100 hours hunger strike in ‘Thaayakam’ (MDMK office), Chennai. Activists have started the hunger strike in solidarity with Idinthakarai people’s protest against Koodankulam Nuclear power plant and to condemn the state government’s imposition of Section 144 in Idinthakarai. Fasting activists urge the state government to implement the demands of People Movement against Nuclear Energy (PMANE).

Comrade Harim from SDPI has commenced the fasting by four IT professionals Parimala, George , Samantha and Jonson.