Greenpeace flays crackdown on Kudankulam protest

New Delhi Sep 10 (IANS) Environment watchdog Greenpeace Monday condemned the Tamil Nadu government for its crackdown and use of force on protestors at the upcoming Kudankulam nuclear power plant in the state.

"The commissioning of a nuclear power plant should not happen without consensus with the stakeholders. In the case of Kudankulam, local villages are the biggest stakeholders. Since the power plant is in their backyard, their consent is required," said Greenpeace campaigner Karuna Raina in a statement issued here Monday.

"Greenpeace stands in solidarity with the people of Kudankulam and their struggle for justice," the statement said.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International India, a human rights group, also urged the government to exercise restraint.

"The Indian authorities should exercise restraint and ensure that the police response does not amount to excessive use of force," said Amnesty International India's Chief Executive G. Ananthapadmanabhan in statement.

Tamil Nadu police Monday cane charged villagers, including women and children, staging protests on the beach at Kudankulam, behind the upcoming nuclear power plant.

Earlier, officials had announced that enriched uranium fuel would be loaded in the first of the two nuclear reactors around Sep 11.

This is the first time police started cracking down on the protestors who launched their agitation against the atomic power plant over a year ago.