KOLKATA, 19 SEPT: Protests against the nuclear plant at Koodankulam in Tamil Nadu have reached Kolkata, with health and environment experts speaking out against India's development of nuclear energy. The Forum for People's Health held a protest at College Square yesterday, attended by around 150 people, calling for the opening of the nuclear plant at Koodankulam to be stopped. Protestors also demanded an end to what they consider to be the Tamil Nadu government's repression of anti-plant campaigners. “We are promoting a wider awareness campaign against the use of nuclear energy in India,” said the president of the Forum for People's Health, Dr Debasis Dutta. "Nuclear energy is not necessary when alternative forms of energy are available.” India should instead be focusing on developing solar, water and hydropower, he said. The Koodankulam Atomic Power Project ~ constructed by Russian energy company Atomstroyexport JSC ~ is due to commence operations in the next few weeks. People protesting against the plant are alleged to have been tear-gassed and beaten, and one man was shot dead by Tamil Nadu state police last week. The spokesperson for the Department of Atomic Energy, Mr SK Malhotra said today: “What is happening outside the nuclear plant is a law and order problem. Right now we are concentrating on commencing the nuclear reactor as soon as possible.” Tension between the centre and the state government could impact the decision on constructing a nuclear plant in Haripur, East Midnapore, said Dr Dutta. While the state government scrapped a proposal for the construction of a nuclear plant in August 2011, “The change in the political scenario may mean that the central government could overrule this opposition,” said Dr Dutta.