CHENNAI: Thousands marched from Koodankulam to Radhapuram in Tirunelveli district on Sunday, condemning Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s statement in Russia that the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) would become operational in a couple of weeks. The protestors also urged for the shutdown of the plant. The march was organised by the People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE), which had launched a 72-hour fast at Idinthakarai on Friday condemning Singh’s three-day visit to Russia. A relay fast is also on at the Lourdh Madha Church in the coastal village.Black flags fluttered in the area with houses and boats sporting them. Shops also downed their shutters and fishing activity remained suspended in the district.The decision to organise the Radhapuram march was taken on Saturday by the struggle committee and villagers, after knowing about the Prime Minister’s statement in Russia. The march began at the Padrakaliamman temple at Koodankulam and went along the main streets of the village before reaching Radhapuram.PMANE coordinator S P Udayakumar, struggle committee members Sivasubramanian, Rajalingam, Father Jayakumar and Mugilan took part. People from Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Kanyakumari districts came out in large numbers.Udayakamar stated that as mock drill, emergency preparedness exercise and safety drill had not been conducted, it was impossible to start the operation of Reactor 1 at the Koodankulam plant. “It will be illegal if the Reactor 1 is made operational in this condition. The Prime Minister should further explain about this,” Udayakumar said.
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