Maharashtra govt prosecutes 2 anti-Jaitapur activists

Maharashtra government has informed Bombay high court that it has initiated criminal prosecution against two activists, including a retired high court judge, protesting against the proposed Jaitapur Nuclear Power plant for violating restrain orders.

The high court is hearing a petition filed by the retired judge BG Kolse Patil and social activist Vaishali Patil challenging the restrain order passed against them from entering Jaitapur in Ratnagiri district.

An affidavit was filed by Suvarna Patki, police inspector from Ratnagiri, which stated that criminal prosecution was initiated against Kolse-Patil and Vaishali Patil as they "wilfully breached an order passed by the District Magistrate of Ratnagiri."

The DM passed several orders between November 28, 2010 and November 30, 2010 and between December 3, 2010 and December 5, 2010 under section 144 of the criminal procedure code restraining the duo from entering Ratnagiri district.

The affidavit further stated that they even encouraged the agitators to attack the police personnel. "Mob became violent and assaulted the police personnel with sticks, knives, stones and caused grievous injuries to police personnel and caused damage to public properties worth Rs 1 lakh," it said.

The high court has scheduled the matter for hearing tomorrow.