Veteran CPI (M) leader and Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly V.S. Achuthanandan has pledged his support to the campaign against the proposed India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) at Theni led by Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) founder and general secretary Vaiko.

The project would be disastrous for both Tamil Nadu and Kerala. People on the border districts of Idukki and Theni would be made aware of the dangers it posed to the environment and their lives and joint efforts would be undertaken to intimate the Union government about people’s anxiety over it, Mr. Achuthanandan said, after holding a meeting with Mr. Vaiko at Aluva, near here on Saturday.

Mr. Achuthanandan had earlier raised the people’s concerns about the project. Mr. Vaiko, who had earlier sought the support of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, said a concerted campaign would be held against the project by rallying environmentalists like Medha Patkar and the issue would be raised in the Rajya Sabha. As the first step, a strike call would be given on March 1. Mr. Vaiko, who had moved the Madras High Court against the project, said the site of the project was within the 50 km radius of nearly 12 dams, including the Idukki and the Mullaperiyar reservoirs.

People in Idukki, Theni to be made aware of the perils it posed to environment