Shiv Sena politicising Jaitapur: Jairam Ramesh

Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh today accused the Shiv Sena of trying to politicise the issue of the Jaitapur nuclear power project, even as fresh clashes were reported from the area, a day after one person was killed in police firing there.

Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday accused the Shiv Sena of trying to politicise the issue of the Jaitapur nuclear power project, even as fresh clashes were reported from the area, a day after one person was killed in police firing there.

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"They have no issue so now they are politicising Jaitapur. I have written a letter to the prime minister about safety of nuclear power plants. The central government and the atomic energy board are looking into these issues," Ramesh told a TV channel.

Ramesh had written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking a rethink of safety of nuclear projects after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan.

Stray incidents of violence were reported on Tuesday from Maharashtra's Ratnagiri district where the Shiv Sena called a shutdown to protest Monday's police firing in which one person was killed while opposing the 9,900 MW Jaitapur nuclear power project, police said.

Ramesh Friday ruled out a "relook" at the Jaitapur project saying there is no alternative to nuclear energy.