Thiruvananthapuram: Intensifying the political battle between Kerala and Tamil Nadu over the Mullaperiyar dam, a human wall extending from the site of the dam to Kochi will be formed on Thursday to press for the construction of a new dam at Mullaperiyar.
According to reports, the LDF state committee has asked all sections of the society to join hands to raise the voice together for the new dam.
“The human wall will take shape at 4 pm on December 8. In solidarity, workers of other districts will organize meetings at district headquarters at the same time,'' informed LDF convener Vaikom Viswan.
The human wall will pass through Idukki, Kottayam and Ernakulam districts.
In its previous meeting, the LDF discussed the Mullaperiyar crisis and also asked the government to convene a special session of the Assembly as soon as possible. The party also suggested the Assembly to pass a unanimous resolution demanding the decommissioning of existing dam and constructing a new one at Mullaperiyar.
The LDF state committee also suggested an out-of-court settlement of the row and asked the government to initiate mutual or third-party discussion with the TN government to put an end to the crisis.
Meanwhile, KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala will also stage a fast in front of the Martyrs Column in Thiruvananthapuram today, as part of a state-wide UDF campaign for a permanent solution to the Mullaperiyar dam issue.
After CPM leader VS Achyutanandan, MDMK leader Vaiko will also hold a fast today.
Vaiko will stage a day-long fast at Theni district protesting Kerala's ‘injustice’ in trying to build a dam in place of the existing structure.
Vaiko will stage the fast to protest against Kerala's 'injustice' in trying to build a dam in place of the existing structure, 'which is the livelihood of south Tamil Nadu,' an MDMK release said.
Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has shot another letter to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa allaying concerns over the dam.
Through his letter, Chandy assured the AIADMK leader that the political parties are Kerala have been asked to refrain from doing anything, which could further complicate the issue.
The Kerala Chief Minister said that his state will continue to supply uninterrupted water to Tamil Nadu and his government is preparing a report analysing the magnitude of the disaster which might occur if the dam collapses.
"We have just started the work and we are waiting for the dam breaking analysis report. We have already signed the MoU (memorandum of understanding) with the Roorkie IIT. So we are expecting the report within a short period," Chandy wrote.
He added, "So after getting the report we will go into the details but now we are preparing the background work. We are ready for immediate disaster management activities."
While Kerala is pressing the Centre for a new dam citing the recent tremors and increase in water level, Tamil Nadu has maintained that the dam is safe further asking the Prime Minister to advise Kerala not to create panic among its people.
First Published: Thursday, December 08, 2011, 09:21