Bandh on N-waste dump plan total

The bandh called by all political parties, except the Congress, in KGF in Karnataka, against the Centre’s alleged move to dump nuclear waste from Koodankulam in the abandoned Kolar Gold Fields mines was total on Friday.

All commercial establishments, markets, theatres and educational institutions remained closed, and autorickshaws and buses were off the road. Members of the Bar Association boycotted court proceedings. The bandh was prompted by reports in a section of the media that an affidavit filed by the Centre in the Supreme Court on Thursday said nuclear waste would be dumped in KGF mines.

The report, however, was denied by the Department of Atomic Energy on Thursday. Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar said in Mysore that the State would not allow any such move.

He said the Centre had not intimated the State about such a decision. The State would apprise the Centre of the adverse impact of dumping nuclear waste in the KGF region, and convey its strong opposition, he said.