Anti-KKNPP groups stage protest

TIRUNELVELI: Insisting on their demand for closure of the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant, anti-KNPP groups today staged a demonstration here and announced plans for similar protests in all coastal districts of Tamil Nadu on November 21 coinciding with World Fishermen Day.MDMK leader Vaiko threw his weight behind the protest by taking part in the relay fast by the locals at Idinthakarai which entered the 19th day today and claimed the Indo-Russian power project was 'detrimental' to the interests of the people of southern districts.Inaugurating the demonstration organised here by the People's Movement Against Atomic Energy, Tirunelveli Roman Catholic Bishop Judge Paulraj rejected reports that the church was behind the ongoing protest and said it was being held by "the whole society concerned at the safety of human beings" of Koodankulam and nearby villages.Movement leader S P Udhayakumar said the protest would be extended to more areas of the state to create awareness about their safety concerns.A demonstration would be held in Villupuram on November 8 and in Puducherry the next day. Besides, similar demonstrations would be held in all the coastal districts of the state on November 21, he added.