Protesters stop construction of Indo-Russian nuclear plant

Moscow (RIA Novosti)- Protesters in southern India have prevented several thousand engineers and workers from continuing construction work on a nuclear plant that is being built with Russia's help, local police told RIA Novosti on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said protests against the Koodankulam facility would impede the state’s development.

More than 700 engineers and scientists, as well as several thousand construction workers involved in building the nuclear plant were unable to reach the site.

Villagers living nearby have been on a hunger strike to protest the construction, Indian media reported.

Last month, Russian nuclear chief Sergei Kiriyenko said the plant would begin low-level operation by the end of the year.