Udaykumar still at large, situation calm near K'kulam

Activist Arvind Kejriwals presence boosts confidence

Presence of erstwhile Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal’s support to the ongoing anti-nuclear plant has boosted the morale of protesters.

Kejriwal’s remarks after meeting the anti-KNPP crusader S P Udayakuamr in an undisclosed location, that he had advised the latter “not to surrender” to the police who want to arrest him for Monday’s violent clashes behind the KNPP complex, has come as a shock to the district administration.

Condemning the police “atrocities” on the protesters of the People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE), Kejriwal told reporters at Idinthakarai that Udayakumar had told him that he “planned to surrender before the police” as the fishing community in villages around KNPP, particularly Idinthakarai, the epicenter of their long-struggle, “are being victimised”. Udaykumar told kejriwal that he did not want people to suffer because of “his leadership”.

Udayakumar had earlier said that a second-level leadership had emerged to lead the struggle against the KNPP until the plant “is shut down”.

However, Kejriwal urged Udayakumar to put his “plan” on hold even though an appeal has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a directive to the KNPP not to go ahead with the enriched uranium fuel loading in its first 1000mw unit.

Slamming IPC Section 121 (waging of war against the state), Kejriwal alleged that police were responsible for “destroying 40 boats of fishermen and 36 motorcycles”. “Is this maintenance of law and order?” asked Kejriwal.

Official sources in the district, nonetheless, denied Kejriwal’s charges, saying that the anti-KNPP protestors themselves were indulging in arson and “then blaming it all on the police and revenue officials.” With Kejriwal’s flip-flop on Udaykuamr’s surrender issue, “How can he fight corruption in the country?” asked an official.

While Udayakumar is said to be “in hiding” near Idinthakarai, Tirunelveli district SP Vijayendra Bidari told Deccan Herald over phone that the overall situation “is calm and there has been no untoward incident today (Wednesday).” He also confirmed that police “are looking” for Udayakumar and his close associates in PMANE, and “arrests could be made anytime”.