People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE) had declared that it would lead a protest against the Kudankulam nuclear power project on Monday, and had also assured that the protest would be non-violent. But, the protests at the plant site turned violent and a fisherman lost his life in police firing.

Anthony Raj, a resident of Manapad village in the district of Kudankulam, was killed in a police firing when he along with many others made an attempt to storm a police station as a part of their protest against the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP).

Other agitators halted the Mysore Express, while others stopped traffic on national highways.

The police had to resort to tear gas shells. They also charged villagers with canes. Agitating villagers took two policemen into captivity.

Home minister Sushilkumar Shinde accused foreign NGOs for inappropriately supporting the protests against the nuclear plant.

Speaking on the topic, Mr. Shinde said, "We are aware that some foreign NGOs are very interested in this. I do not want to name those countries, but we are aware of it."

The process of loading fuel at the reactor of the nuclear plant is likely to take place as early as today (Tuesday). Loading of fuel at the reactors is one of the last steps before the plant can start producing power.