Maharashtra government is repressing anti-Jaitapur movement: Ex-SC judge

Terming the arrests of those opposing the upcoming Jaitapur nuclear power plant in Konkan region as "repression", a former Supreme Court judge said that activists would go ahead with a public hearing by the Indian People’s Tribunal on Environment and Human Rights.

"We fear this (the arrests) is an attempt to scuttle the proposed hearing by the Indian People’s Tribunal at Mithgavane village on March 6 and 7," said former Supreme Court judge PB Sawant.

To protest against the "injustice", social organizations are holding a public hearing on the proposed nuclear power plant, which will be presided over by Justice (retd) AP Shah and Justice Sawant.

"Notices have already been sent to government officials, ministers and concerned authorities to attend the tribunal and present their side of the matter. We appeal to the government and other concerned ministers to answer our queries on the safety issue through this tribunal," Sawant added.

The Tribunal has support of several NGOs, including Janhit Seva Samiti (JSS), Konkan Vinashkari Prakalp Bachao Samiti (KVPBS), Human Rights Law (HRL), Lok Shasan Andolan (LSA), Indian Environment Movement (IEM), Lokayat, Bharatiya Pariyavaran (BP) and Konkan Urja Prakalap Samiti.

"The Jaitapur project could be risky because of the untested design of Areva’s European Pressurised Reactor. The design has not been cleared by nuclear regulators anywhere but India still wants to install it," Sawant alleged.