Thaindian News

Mumbai, July 11 (IANS) The Konkan Bachao Samiti Monday accused Industries Minister Narayan Rane for allegedly disrupting on Sunday an annual meeting of different NGOs who were protesting against the proposed 9,900-MW Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project.

In a statement here, the KBS alleged that “anti-social elements” shouted slogans of allegiance to Rane and disrupted the NGOs meeting under the banner of Konkan Vinashkari Prakalp Virodhi Samiti at Ratnagiri.

The KBS also demanded suspension of a woman police officer, Suvarna Patki, who was present at the venue but allegedly did nothing to prevent the anti-social elements from creating ruckus at the meeting.

“These disturbances took place in the presence of inspector Suvarna Patki, who though personally present at the scene, took no steps to either prevent the disturbances or remove the intruders for several hours.”

Terming this as “wilful dereliction of duty”, the KBS demanded that she should be suspended pending an inquiry into the matter.

The KBS called upon the state government to take steps to hold Narayan Rane accountable for this blatant attack on the democratic rights of the citizens of Maharashtra.

“This kind of fascist conduct will meet with the condemnation of all democratic elements. The Congress party will have to pay the political price if it does not curb the anti-social elements in its ranks,” the KBS said.

The KBS and several NGOs, besides a majority of political parties, including the Shiv Sena, are vehemently opposing since the past about nine months the JNPP - the country’s biggest nuclear power project - coming up in Jaitapur in Ratnagiri district.