Nuke report cites rights violations

An independent jury, which released a report on the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant protests, on Monday, alleged that the human rights of the protestors were violated in the way the centre and the state governments handled the agitations at the site.

Titled ‘Report of the Jury on Public Hearing on Kudankulam and State Suppression of Democratic Rights’, the report said people’s right to freedom of speech and movement were restricted and that the state police was used to harass the protesters.

The report suggested the Centre and state governments initiate dialogue, and resolve the issue mutually. It said right to speech was constitutionally guaranteed and those opposed to the plant were well within their rights to speak about it.

“The jury recommends that all cases against persons under these provisions be withdrawn as they are only exercising their legitimate right to protest,” it said, demanding immediate revocation of section 144 of CrPC and take pro-active steps to bring normalcy in the area.

The report was based on the public hearing organised by the ‘Chennai Solidarity Group for Koodankulam Struggle’ over the state action against anti -KNPP activists on May 14 here.

The committee included retired Chief Justice of Delhi High Court A.P.Shah, advocate Geeta Ramaseshan and Prabha Kalvimani of Irular Tribes Protection Association.

The jury, in its report, said the Centre must release information on safety, site evaluation and information that would not compromise strategic interests.

Other recommendations were making public the India-Russia inter governmental liability agreement, resuming talks with PMANE, and setting up a fair committee acceptable to villagers to address their concerns.

(2012-06-05/deccanchronicle)