Hyderabad:
The two lives lost in a massive protest were not sacrificed in vain, say the fishermen in Sompenta in Andhra Pradesh.
The police opened fire on Wednesday as thousands of villagers objected to the inauguration of a thermal power plant in an area that's ecologically fragile.
The pictures- including one of an old woman running from a policeman with a gun - grabbed the country's attention. And on Thursday, the environmental clearance given for the power plant was suspended.
The 12,000-crore power plant was to be set up by the Nagarjuna Construction Company in the wetlands of Srikakulam. Fishermen and farmers from 32 villages backed environmental activists in a campaign against the plant.
The National Environmental Appellate Authority is the body which has suspended the permission granted to Nagarjuna. This, and three other thermal power projects were cleared by the state government in over 10, 000 acres to produce 10, 000 MW of power. "These are very highly polluting, coal-fired power plants. This kind of industry is not supposed to come up in this era of global warming. Everywhere in developed countries, coal-fired power plants are looked upon as death factories," says Environmental Scientist Babu Rao.
While suspending the permission for the Nagarjuna project, the National Environment Appellate Authority accused the government of misrepresenting facts, and asked that all wetlands should be clearly identified before approval for other projects is granted. The three other thermal power plants are to be set up in a swampy area, close to a bird sanctuary. One will occupy a lagoon region. The Environment Ministry is sending a representative to review these.
Not surprisingly, the Srikakulam issue was adopted quickly by politicians with MLAs from the Opposition Telugu Desam Party demanding the resignation of Revenue Minister Prasada Rao. 56 MLAs, who were protesting in the well of the House, were suspended for the day.
"All these projects will get 85,000 crore rupees' investment to Srikakulam district by which thousands of jobs, new townships will come and economic activity will increase," defends the minister under fire, Prasada Rao.