Protest against the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) has once again intensified with the new Tamil Nadu panel of experts claimed that the plant was safe and gave enough indication that the State would like to go ahead to help commissioning the plant. The People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE)-led protesters began another 72-hour fast at the coastal Idinthakarai village in Tirunelveli near the plant late on Monday night. The four-member panel led by former Atomic Energy Commissioner M Srinivasan had on Monday declared that the plant was safe and sound after inspecting the plant over the weekend. The panel even refused to meet the protesters saying that the plant’s safety aspects were already discussed with the leaders of the protesters and that there was no need to meet the villagers again. Some 7,000 odd villagers are protestesting and fearing that they would once again lay siege over the plant, heavy police deployment has been made. The PMANE has demanded that replacement of Srinivasan, who the protesters see as a pro-nuclear person. Ironically, the State Government led by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had been toeing the protesters’ line, insisting that the fears of the locals be allayed. A Central panel of experts were formed to do that. The State too formed a panel for the same purpose. However, talks between the protesters and the Central experts failed. Following criticism from various quarters, alleging that the vested interest was in play to stop the Russian collaborated plant and that this would hamper the power generation from which power starved Tamil Nadu is expected to benefit, Jayalalithaa decided to go in for action. She announced the second panel of experts at the end of last month headed by Srinivasan. The formation of the new panel comes as much relief to the science fraternity and also gives the indication that the State Government has decided to opt for power generation to help alleviate the deepening power crisis. Jayalalithaa has already indicated that her Government would have to go for steep hike in power tariff. “People’s resolve to stall the plant is only getting stronger and they are ready to face any eventuality. The expert panel has clearly and deliberately avoided meeting the people,” M Pushparayan, convenor, PMANE told the media. According to sources, two international atomic energy officials were carrying out customary and mandatory checks on the plant on Monday night, which, according to PMANE members, is violation of State Cabinet resolution on halting work inside the plant.