TIRUNELVELI: The People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE) on Tuesday began an indefinite fast in Idinthakarai on Tuesday, pressing for demands. Earlier, the PMANE, which has been spearheading the protest against the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant Project, announced that it would go ahead with its plan to stage an indefinite fast from May 1, if its charter of demands were not met. Against this background, talks were held between PMANE representatives and government officials at the Tirunelveli collectorate on Monday. Although the PMANE team, led by Tamilar Kalam general secretary M Arimavalvan, later said the talks were ‘positive’ and that they were asked by the government officials to postpone their protest, the PMANE went ahead with the indefinite hunger stir as planned, on Tuesday.
While around 25 persons from Idinthakarai, Koodankulam, Kuthenkuly and Kooduthalai took part in the hunger strike, a large number of protesters turned up to express solidarity. Meanwhile, shops in Idinthakarai and Koodankulam also downed shutters.
Speaking to Express, PMANE coordinator S P Udayakumar said that a large number of people from different areas came to Idinthakarai on Tuesday. It was decided to stage the indefinite fast as planned, he said, while adding that more number of women would join them from May 4 (Friday).
“We are engaging in dialogue with the state government officials. If we are invited for talks on Thursday, our representatives will participate,” he added.