End agitation to facilitate smooth talks on Kudankulam: Centre

With the anti-nuclear protests continuing at Kudankulam, the Centre today made an appeal to end the agitation to facilitate smooth discussion with the independent panel of scientists on safety issues.

"Let them withdraw their agitation and facilitate smooth discussions by both the committees," Minister of State in the PMO V Narayanasamy told PTI here.

He said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had set up a 15-member group of independent scientists to address the safety and security concerns raised by the locals.

The two 1000 MW nuclear reactors at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu built with Russian collaboration are in advanced stages of completion and have run into a rash of protests with concerns being raised on safety.

Narayanasamy hoped for an amicable solution as all the stakeholders in the impasse have come to the discussion table.

"Since the central government, state government, agitating group all will sit together, I think the issue will be resolved," he said.

"It is the duty of the Central government to remove the fear in the mind of the people about the safety and security of the nuclear power plant," the minister said.

Besides, he said the Tamil Nadu government has also set up a committee in connection with the Kudankulam issue.

Narayanasamy said there were three major issues -- harm to the environment, nuclear safety and livelihood of fishermen.

He said the Committee has to come out with a comprehensive statement after due deliberation on the issue.