N-project agitation turns violent

Mumbai: The protest related to the Tarapur nuclear power project turned violent as agitators pelted stones at the Atomic Energy Commission’s vehicles and other vehicles at Palghar Monday morning. The administration is allegedly not giving preference to local project-affected people while carrying out recruitment for the project.

Various issues related to the the project have affected people over the past many years. Hence, the Sangharsh Samiti of project-affected people is very aggressive about their long-pending dem-ands. Recruitment for unit three and four is underway and many youths were called on Monday as well as during the last week. The locals alleged that outsiders were given preference in terms of jobs.

The Sangharsh Samiti took the stand that the administration should give priority to locals. Accordingly, a rasta roko was held at one of the project premises early in the morning. Vehicles were prevented from entering the premises and some were even damaged. The police rushed to the spot and controlled the situation. However, the situation continues to be tense with the locals firm about the agitation.

The state government’s rehabilitation department is trying to sort things out but it is helpless as many decisions are pending with the Union government and the atomic energy department which comes under the Prime Minister’s Office, said senior officials.