Archbishop leads fast over desecration of Kudankulam church

Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore AM Chinnappa on Wednesday led a day long fast to condemn the police action in a church near Idinthakarai, Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu.

Last week, police entered the St Lourde's Church in Idinthakarai village - the centre of the Kudankulam anti-nuclear protest - while carrying out a door to door search of leaders backing the movement.

While the search was on, it is alleged that the police desecrated the church and damaged the statue of Mother Mary.

"The act has angered us. We want immediate action against the cops involved," demanded Archbishop Chinnappa.

He was joined by hundreds of Christians, fellow priests and pastors who urged the Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa to take cognizance and halt the police use of violence.

Christian groups also demanded action against the policeman who opened fire at Antony John at Manappadu in Tuticorin district. Besides compensation, they have demanded for a government job for one of the family members.

Anthony was reportedly killed when police opened fire against a violent mob that tried to attack a police station.

Thousands of villagers and anti-nuclear activists have been protesting the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) fearing a Fukushima like nuclear disaster. Police have been using tear gas and are resorting to lathi-charge to disperse activists gathered near the nuclear plant.

About 4,000 activists, mainly women and children from fishing villages are now camping on a beach near the project.

Meanwhile, a local court has issued a non-bailable warrant against activist SP Udayakumar, who has been leading protests against the nuclear plant.

The warrant is following Udayakumar failing to show up before the court as required on Tuesday.

Udayakumar, the coordinator of Peoples Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE), is also facing charges of sedition and waging war against the country.