N-protesters seek CMs' help

Anti-nuclear protesters in Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu, have appealed to the country's three women chief ministers — Jayalalithaa, Mamata Banerjee and Mayawati — to "rescue India from the clutches of the international nuclear mafia".

Anti-nuclear protesters in Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu, have appealed to the country's three women chief ministers — Jayalalithaa, Mamata Banerjee and Mayawati — to "rescue India from the clutches of the international nuclear mafia".

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In a letter to the chief ministers of Tamil Nadu (Jayalalithaa), West Bengal (Mamata Banerjee) and poll-bound Uttar Pradesh (Mayawati), the People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE), which is spearheading the agitation against the Kudankulam nuclear power project in Tirunelveli, said on Monday India's nuclear deals with foreign countries created jobs for the people of those places but cost the Indian fishermen, farmers and Dalit workers their livelihoods and made them disease-prone.

MNCs reaped huge profits, the PMANE said, while thousands are adversely affected.

"To save the ordinary Indian citizens and to safeguard their survival, well-being and freedom, the country needs the intervention of thoughtful, caring and creative leaders, like yourselves," the protesters said.

The PMANE asked the three chief ministers to rescind all the nuclear agreements the Centre had signed with the US, Russia, France and many other countries. "Please envision a people-friendly, nature-friendly and future-friendly energy policy and design alternative energy programmes that protect our peoples' rights to life...," it said in letters to the CMs.