Members of several voluntary organisations announced to observe the proposed date for ‘Jan Sunwai (public hearing)’ in Madhya Pradesh’s Mandla district for setting up a nuclear power project as black day across the State.
Shiksha Adhikar Manch Secretary Anil Sadgopal while talking to mediapersons here on Sunday said, “Jan sunwais called on May 24 and July 31 last year had to be cancelled due to strong protest at local and State level. Still, a ‘jan sunwai’ has been called in undemocratic manner.” Besides, demonstrations would be staged from February 15 to February 17, he added.
Sadgopal also raised questions on the necessity for setting up a nuclear power plant when the world is debating safety of such projects. He urged that the Government harness other renewable sources of energy such as wind, solar and tidal energy.
He said that the villagers from the three villages Chutka, Tadighat and Kunda from Mandala have been given the privilege under PESA of schedule 5 of constitution.
CPI-Ml’s Vijay Kumar said, “The population of around 9,000 will be affected by the nuclear plant. Apart from their problem of being displaced the whole region will face the problem of radiation. The area since will get contaminated by nuclear rays.”
He said the water of river Narmada will also not be spared by the radiations and such plans should be considered by Government keeping public in mind. The villagers have already been shifted from other area and again a threat of displacement is posing, he added.
Nuclear reactors are not the only source of power production neither they are renewable, But despite being unsafe they are being set-up in the State neglecting public safety, said a volunteer from CPI (Ml).
CPI MP Spokesman Shailendra Kumar Shelly accused governments of serving their personal interests and alleged that it is being done to appease corporate sector, as developed nations such as America, Japan, France and Britain have deferred their nuclear programmes in deference to the demands of their citizens, but the Government of the biggest democracy being so adamant.
They said that this is a step towards repetition of Bhopal gas tragedy but the Governments are sending us in the clutches of deadly weapon, which will keep affecting the coming generations.