Activists refuse to back down

The Shiv Sena will continue its opposition to the 9,900 MW Jaitapur nuclear power project (JNPP), executive president Uddhav Thackeray declared on Monday in Ratnagiri. Thackeray was visiting the family of Tabrez Soyekar in nearby Sakhri Nate village.

Thackeray said his party’s opposition to the JNPP was undiluted. “The government will have to answer for the death of Tabrez Soyekar,” he said.

Thackeray also visited Ratnagiri Civil Hospital to meet those who were injured in the police firing last week in which Sovekar lost his life. He also visited Sena MLA Rajan Salvi, in police custody for allegedly instigating violence.

“The government will be supplying very little power to the state from the project... remaining power will be sold to other states,” Thackeray said. “Then why are we risking the lives of our people?”
Thackeray also criticised Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh for changing his stand often on the environmental implications of the controversial project.

Asked about his absence during last week’s agitation, Thackeray retorted, “Sena always comes first to help people in an emergency. Though I could not come, was there any other person who came here?”

Meanwhile, the ‘Tarapur to Jaitapur’ yatra of anti-JNPP activists was halted at Mahad in Raigad. In response, they staged a protest in the town. “This is completely undemocratic,” said advocate Sujit Patil of Lokavat, Pune. The activists said some of them would still proceed to Ratnagiri. “Our yatra will be complete only when we reach Sakhri Nate,” said one protester.