DMK working president M K Stalin and MDMK leader Vaiko flagging off a rally against the Neutrino project, in Madurai on Saturday (EPS | KK Sundar)
MADURAI: At a time when the Neutrino project got its approval from the Union Ministry and is awaiting approval from the State, various political parties have launched protests against the project, citing consequences that are likely to be caused by it.
DMK working president MK Stalin flagged off MDMK leader Vaiko’s rally against the Neutrino project from Palanganatham on Saturday.
Ahead of the rally, a meeting was organised at Palanganatham in which several political leaders including Stalin, VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan, TNCC president S Thirunavukkarasar and several party cadre took part.
Addressing the gathering, Vaiko said that an organisation ‘Movement Against Neutrino’ was formed under his leadership. Along with members of the organisation, he would participate in a rally for 10 days from Madurai to Cumbum in Theni district in protest against the India-based Neutrino Observatory. He noted that the airspace from Amabarappar Hill, where the project was set to be established, to Mullaiperiyar and Idukki dams were 16 km and 26 km respectively.
Vaiko said, as the location where Neutrino project was to be started formed part of the Western Ghats and no one should be able to touch it based on the recommendations of the Kasturirangan Committee.
If the project begins, lakhs of litres of water would be drawn from Mullaiperiyar and there would be no drinking water for neighbouring districts, he alleged. Addressing the crowd, Stalin said that Vaiko would have a place in the history for going on a rally against the project.
“The Centre is not bothered about people of Tamil Nadu. Consequences of the project such as excessive radiation are not taken into consideration. There are also chances for occurrence of earthquakes due to this project. The Centre is planning to implement several other hazardous projects in Tamil Nadu and is attempting to turn the State into a burial ground,” said Stalin.
Training his guns on the AIADMK over the Cauvery issue, Stalin said the party should exert pressure on the Centre. If the AIADMK MPs resigned over the issue, then DMK would also follow suit in solidarity,” he said
Later, Vaiko unveiled a new yellow-coloured flag with symbols of tiger, bow and arrow and red-coloured fish, which would be used during the rally from Madurai to Cumbum. Stalin flagged off the rally from Madurai.
Man sets self on fire at Madurai venue
Madurai: An MDMK party cadre Ravi attempted suicide by setting himself ablaze before the commencement of MDMK leader Vaiko’s rally against the Neutrino project at Palanganatham on Saturday. Party cadre put out the fire. Sources termed it as an act in protest against the Centre’s Neutrino project in TN. Later, with tears welling up the eyes, Vaiko came on the dais and said that Ravi was a loyal party cadre. Vaiko said that the hospital authorities had told him that Ravi sustained nearly 90 per cent burns
