Police in southern India on Tuesday arrested dozens of activists accused of leading violent protests against the loading of uranium at a new nuclear power plant. One fisherman was shot dead by police on Monday as hundreds of protesters clashed with armed officers in Tamil Nadu state's Koodankulam region, where crowds tried to lay siege to the Russia-backed project.
Police searched for ring-leaders in coastal villages in the Tirunelveli district where Koodankulam is situated, local police chief Vijayendra Bidari told AFP by phone. "We have so far arrested 30 people and more arrests are going on as we have identified those behind yesterday's chaos, rioting and arson," he explained. "We are going after the main leaders," he added, describing the situation at the nuclear plant as "fully under control".
Activists launched hunger strikes in front of churches in some local villages, and also blocked roads during demonstrations in the state capital Chennai. "There is no question of giving up the protest and we will continue to fight till the nuclear plant is shut down," K. Manickam, a protest leader, said by telephone from Tuticorin district where the fisherman was shot dead.