Black flag protest against commencement of Kudankulam power plant

The People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE) organized a black flag protest in villages near the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP), alleging that the plant has been made operational to avoid further scrutiny.

According to media reports, anti-KNPP protesters are intensifying their protest against commissioning the Plant. They have decided not to venture into the sea for fishing and lined up protests and other agitations.

Meanwhile, the villagers largely fishermen, who are opposing the plant calling it unsafe, after the March 2011 Fukushima disaster, have strengthened their agitations. Fishermen from five villages in and around the Kudankulam Plant have decided not to venture into the sea for fishing as a mark of protest.

Kudankulam plant is the country's biggest nuclear power project and is designed to help meet the rising demand for electricity in Asia's third-largest economy where power blackouts are frequent.

This project was delayed because of repeated protests and agitations by the locals over safety issues. The Supreme Court gave a green signal to this project in May. Tamil Nadu is expected to receive 400 MW from the plant during the initial production to tackle the problem of power deficit in the state.