Power buys ex VC ticket to Jaitapur

It doesn't matter how sensitive an area or situation is. In this country, power can get you just about anywhere.

Power buys ex VC ticket to Jaitapur

It doesn't matter how sensitive an area or situation is. In this country, power can get you just about anywhere. We're betting that's why Bhalchandra Mungekar, former Vice Chancellor, Mumbai University, and now Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, was allowed to enter the restricted project site at Jaitapur, Ratnagiri district, that's closed even to local mango farmers who want to check on their produce.

Bhalachandra Mungekar (centre, with glasses) is told off by angry
residents as he tries to meet Tabrez Sayekar's family. pics/Atul kamble

This, after the zone was put under heavy security after locals' protested against the 9,900 MW nuclear power project site, and the scene turned violent last week. In the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear plant meltdown in Japan, the fear of a similar disaster here led to violent protests.

When this reporter tried to enter the site, he was duly stopped. But Mungekar got easy access and was even escorted inside by a police officer posted at the gate. At first, the officer was hesitant. But Mungekar persisted and the officer relented after he was told: "I have come so far, I should be allowed in."

Locals were not impressed. Rajendra Wadekar, a Jaitapur resident, complained, "We (the villagers) aren't even allowed to go inside the area and check on our farm." But it's not been all smooth sailing for Mungekar. Yesterday, he was booed from the house of Tabrez Sayekar, who died in Monday's police firing following the protests. Residents of Nate village, where Sayekar lived, got agitated when they spotted Mugekar.

"Why do you come when the government that is run by your party fired bullets on our men? We don't want your sympathy," said an angry resident, Majeed Govankar. Mungekar replied, "Tabrez was like a brother." This irritated residents further. He was then taken away by his aides before the scene could get ugly.

When contacted, Parambir Singh, IG Konkan region, said, "The job of the policeman is to man the area. Only Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) has the authority to allow anybody in." A senior NPCIL officer admitted, "Ideally, no one is to be allowed in, and the policemen are supposed to man the entire area."

Protest march
A group of people protesting against the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant have begun a walk from Tarapur in Thane district and plan to reach Jaitapur on Monday (see poster below). Jaitapur locals are not sure if the protest will be allowed. "We have been told that protests are prohibited. We aren't sure if our friends will reach here," said Gaonkar, an activist and resident of Jaitapur.