Anti-nuclear activists on saline drips

Tirunelveli: The anti-nuclear activists observing an indefinite fast demanding scrapping of Kudankulam nuclear power plant were administered saline solution intravenously as their stir entered the sixth day today. The medical intervention was made at the fast venue in Idinthakarai after a team of doctors from Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital examined the 15 agitators, including People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy coordinator SP Udayakumar, spearheading the protest against the project, officials said. Doctors had on Friday said the protesters might have to be shifted to hospital if their condition deteriorated.[caption id=“attachment_254556” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“SP Udayakumar, convenor of People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE). Firstpost”]  [/caption] The core group of agitators are on the fast since Tamil Nadu Government on March 19 gave its go ahead for the commissioning of the Indo-Russian project, work on which had remained stalled since September last following protests by the locals citing safety concerns. Meanwhile, ADGP (Law and Order) S George today reviewed the security arrangements in and around Kudankulam. Speaking to reporters at Kudankulam, he said police had been deployed in the area only to instill confidence in the minds of public and maintain law and order and they would never harass or cause inconvenience to the villagers. “We will not arrest any public. Only those facing cases will be arrested. We will not harass public. Once law and order becomes normal, police will be withdrawn,” he said. To a question when Udayakumar, slapped with charges including sedition and waging war against the country, would be arrested, George said he “cannot say when it will happen.” Meanwhile, the state “Q” Branch police, which deals with extremist elements, last evening arrested Tamil Nadu Youth Resurgent Forum leader Satish when he was present at a marriage hall where MDMK chief Vaiko and others were lodged after their arrest for attempting to proceed to Idinthakarai to express solidarity with anti-nuclear activists. Police said Satish had links to Naxalite groups and more than 15 cases were pending against him. Q Branch police also arrested Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi spokesperson Vanni Arasu at Rajapalayam in Virudhunagar district for bid to proceed to Idinthakarai, where ban orders are in force, to support the anti-KNPP protest. PTI