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Mannar Church to protest against Indian nuke plant
The Catholic clergy in the Mannar Diocese are to lead public protests against the commissioning of the Kudankulam Nuclear Facility in South India saying the people in the region will be the worst affected in the event of a fallout.
“We have written to the Indian High Commission but we are not satisfied with the response. Hence public protests will be launched soon,” Mannar Bishop Rt. Rev. Rayappu Joseph said yesterday.
He said the Mannar Citizens Committee made up of intellectuals, civic right activists, environmentalists, women’s groups and fisherfolk societies would start off the protests and public awareness campaigns on the dangers of a nuclear leak and the dumping of atomic waste in the Indian Ocean.
“This is a serious matter affecting the wellbeing of all the people in this country and we believe the Indian Government would reconsider the project,” the Bishop said.
India has painted an all clear picture at Kudankulam but despite this effort hundreds of thousands protesters are taking to the streets on a daily basis and even the highest courts in that country are examining the matter.
“We all know what damage could be caused in case radioactive material should enter our atmosphere. The results will be disastrous. Therefore a concerted action is necessary to apply pressure on India,” the Bishop said.
He said a matter of serious concern was the pollution of the ocean should waste at the plant be diverted into the sea, as it appeared to be the case at present.
External Affairs Ministry officials in Colombo said the Indian Government had assured there would be a sharing of information on safety measures and other matters, and therefore there was no need for alarm now.
The Kudankulam Plant is scheduled to be commissioned next month.
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