Jaitapur is considered to be prone to seismic activity. According to a leading Daily it falls under the Zone 3 category. Data collected by the Geological Survey of India has suggested that there have been over 92 quakes in 20 years, the biggest of them being 6.2 on the Richter scale. Keeping this in view and the recent Fukushima I nuclear accidents in Japan, massive protests are being organized by the locals and the tribes in this area who do not trust the Indian Government of providing them with adequate safeguards and preserving the Biodiversity of the region.[4]
On 18 April 2011, one person was killed and at least seven others were injured on Monday when police opened fire on a mob protesting the proposed 9,900 MW Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project. A youth was killed when police attempted to control the protesters who were on a rampage, attacking the Nate police station, a few kilometers from Jaitapur.[5]
On 19 April 2011, in an act of pursuing economic development via nuclear energy colliding with politics, Shiv Sena, a prominent political Party in Maharashtra, declared a bandh (strike) in Ratnagiri, about two hours away from Jaitapur. In the ensuing strike, a hospital was attacked and buses were set on fire. There was no word from the party high command regarding this destruction of public Property.[6]
Greenpeace India has been vehemently supporting the people of Jaitapur against the construction of the Nuclear Power Plant.[7]
