Vaiko, Sachar ask Centre to shut Kudankulam plant

MDMK chief Vaiko and eminent jurist Rajinder Sachar today demanded that the Centre immediately shut the Kudankulam Atomic Power Plant, as going ahead with the project will “put the lives of thousands of people at risk”. Vaiko and Sachar, who are part of the ‘Friends of Kudankulam Anti-Nuclear Movement’, told a press conference here that nuclear power will not solve the entire energy needs of the country. “As of now, total generation of power through nuclear plants is just 2.8 per cent. Even in the next few decades it can go only up to 7 per cent. Even a country like Japan with sophisticated technology could not avert nuclear crisis. Why should India take a risk?” Vaiko asked. [caption id=“attachment_148660” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Kudankulam Nuclear Plant. PTI”]  [/caption] He said the views of the local people were not ascertained while conceiving the project and alleged that the government was using Sec 124 (A) of the IPC (waging war against the state) to “silence” people who speak against the project. “The government can utilise natural resources like sun, air and water to generate electricity. A World Bank report has said 71 per cent of India’s energy needs can be met through renewable energy methods,” he said. Sachar, former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court, said the government should give up the plans in Kudankulam as three major countries like US, Russia and Japan have failed to avert nuclear crisis. “It has been proved that even countries with advanced technologies have failed at this sector,” he said. On reports that some fishermen were charged with sedition for going near the plant, Sachar said: “The section was inherited from the British raj. We are planning a signature campaign demanding repeal of Sec 124 (A).” PTI