Mullaperiyar row: LDF to organise human wall protest

Idukki: KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala will stage a fast in front of the Martyrs Column in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday, as part of a state-wide UDF campaign for a permanent solution to the Mullaperiyar dam issue.

The ruling LDF will be organising a human wall from Mullaperiyar in Idukki district to Kochi. The human wall will take shape at around 4 pm and will pass through Idukki, Kottayam and Ernakulam districts of Kerala.

Kerala has demanded that a new dam be built as the existing 116-year-old structure has been rendered unsafe by numerous quakes.

However, neighbouring Tamil Nadu has shot down Kerala's worries as alarmist.

After CPM leader VS Achyutanandan, MDMK leader Vaiko will also hold a fast on Thursday.

Vaiko will stage a day-long fast at Theni district on Thursday 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.

He will also take out a campaign rally from Madurai on Thursday night which will end at Theni district, it added.

Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that the state 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 said.

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.

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