London: Anti-nuclear and rights group on Friday held a noisy demonstration in front of the Indian High Commission here in protest against the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant being built in a tsunami-prone area of Tamil Nadu.
Protesters held a large red banner proclaiming "No More Chernobyls! No more Fukushimas! No Nuclear Power Plant in Kudankulam."
The protesters, representing South Asian, anti-nuclear and human rights group such as South Asia Solidarity Group, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), South West Against Nuclear, demanded that the Kudankulam nuclear power plant be halted for urgent safety reasons.
They claimed support from five British MPs and one British Member of the European Parliament who have signed a letter addressed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh which will be handed over to the High Commission.
The protesters pointed out that at a time when Germany, France, Italy and Japan are turning away from nuclear power because of its inherent and terrible dangers, India is not only not decommissioning existing nuclear plants but setting up new ones with no consideration for the safety of its people.
They claimed the construction violated the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safety guidelines as Kudankulam is in a tsunami and earthquake prone region which has also experienced small volcanic eruptions and is affected by water shortages.
They also claimed it was in violation of the mandatory requirement for construction of fresh water reservoirs which are essential in case of a nuclear accident.
The demonstrators demanded that IAEA safety guidelines on safety be met, mandatory reports, reviews and other information on safety be made available to the public and media.
They also demanded that sedition and "war against the state" cases and other charges filed against members of Kudankulam People's Movement against Nuclear Energy be withdrawn and Section 144 be lifted from the region.
One of the organisers of the protest, Amrit Wilson from South Asia Solidarity Group said: "The local people opposing the Kudankulam power plant have been accused of being backed by foreign money. This is absurd. People like ourselves, acting in solidarity, have no sources of funds.
The fact is that the Indian nuclear programme itself is backed up heavily by the US and foreign corporates (like Atomsroyexport) and US companies are salivating over deals with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India."
In a message, Caroline Lucas, MP said, "I am deeply worried about the situation in Kudankulam - both in terms of the nuclear plant and the treatment of local opponents - and very much hope that the Indian authorities will take notice of today's important protest in London."
Keith Taylor, MEP said: "People have a right to protest against the construction of this nuclear power plant and I am concerned at the way they're being treated."
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