The Peringome Struggle has been held up as a singular instance of success in India in scrapping a proposed nuclear plant. This was possible by the pressure mounted by the campaign based on the socio-political and educational status as well as the demographic and geographical peculiarities of the state. The environmental consciousness promoted and spread by the ‘silent valley’ movement and the general apprehension about radiation health hazards generated by discussions about the Chernobyl disaster fresh in the minds of the people, helped the resistance to gain such momentum. Now that about two decades have elapsed, I think, it is proper to make a few possible generalisations, especially when we are exploring chances of better networking and cooperation among anti-nuclear groups all over India. Of course there are lessons to be learnt from both the positive aspects and drawbacks of our struggle. Payyanur,Taliparmba, and Kanhangad are major towns nearby. Kannur International Airport is the nearest airport of about 75 km South. Payyanur Railway Station is the closest railhead about 24 km West. Peringome is famous in terms of anti-nuclear struggle.
Demographics
India census, Peringome had a population of 13261 with 6388 males and 6873 females. The village has a Central Reserve Police Force camp. Govt of Kerala has allotted 275 acres of land free of cost for establishing RTC at Peringome, Kannur district, Kerala which was taken over on 28 December 2000. The institution has completely shifted to Peringome, Kannur district and started its full fledged functioning wef 1 August 2007. The Deputy Inspector General of Police rank officer heads this institution designated as Principal RTC Peringome.Present Principal is Sh MJ Vijay, DIGP.
The national highway passes through Perumba junction. Goa and Mumbai can be accessed on the northern side and Cochin and Thiruvananthapuram can be accessed on the southern side. The road to the east of Iritty connects to Mysore and Bangalore. The nearest railway station is Payyanur on Mangalore-Palakkad line. Trains are available to almost all parts of India subject to advance booking over the internet. There are airports at Kannur, Mangalore and Calicut. All of them are international airports but direct flights are available only to Middle Eastern countries.
