TN police halt VS's move to visit Kudankulam

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ignoring the CPI (M)'s official line, party veteran V S Achuthanandan Tuesday set out to Kudankulam to pledge solidarity with anti-nuclear protesters but was stopped by Tamil Nadu Police at the border town of Kaliyikkavila near here.

As Achuthanandan's car entered the border town, an officer of Tamil Nadu police stopped the vehicle and requested VS not to proceed further in view of the security concerns.

Complying with the request, VS said he was disappointed that he could not visit the coastal village in Tamil Nadu to pledge solidarity with the protesters but did not want to create any law and order problem in the neighbouring state.

"I don't wish to worsen the law and order situation in your state. I only wish peace prevails in Tamil Nadu. So I am returning by complying with your request", the former chief minister told the police official.

VS, however, said he was firm in his opinion that nuclear plants were dangerous and recalled that his party had withdrawn support to the UPA government in protest against Indo-US civil nuclear pact.

In an apparent dig at the party leadership, VS said, "I have not changed my position on the nuclear issue since then. My intention was to express solidarity with the agitation led by Udhayakumar against the nuclear plant. I am disappointed that I could not reach the spot of the agitation and convey my message to them", he said.

A big crowd gathered on both sides of the border and raised slogans hailing the leader.