Cases against NGOs for diverting funds

Tightening the noose on those opposing the Kudankulam nuclear project, the government has registered cases against four non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for allegedly diverting funds to fuel protests and deported a German national for assisting the agitators.

"Cases have been registered against four NGOs for violation of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act," Union home secretary R K Singh said. The action came days after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said NGOs have received support from abroad for leading protests against the much-awaited nuclear power plant. Bank accounts of the four NGOs have been frozen after an inquiry conducted by the home ministry reportedly found them diverting funds meant for charity to fuel the protests. Earlier, a German national was picked up by Tamil Nadu Police in Nagercoil for allegedly assisting the protests. He was deported early in the day. Sonnteg Reiner Hermann (49), against whom a 'look-out notice' was issued by the home ministry had come to India on a tourist visa and had been helping the protesters.