VS calls for service of Corps of Engineers

KOCHI: Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan on Tuesday approached the Kerala High Court seeking a directive to the Central and state governments to call the Indian Army Corps of Engineers known as the Military Engineer Service (MES) to avert any disaster in connection with the Mullaperiyar dam."The state government is duty bound to wipe out insecurity from the minds of people who are in the threat of loosing lives. Collapse of Mullaperiyar will be the most furious disaster that the whole world has ever witnessed. Tension in the minds of the common man is increasing day-by-day as no effective steps are taken by the government to manage the grave situation,” Achuthanandan submitted.The petition will come up for hearing on Thursday along with a batch of petitions seeking various directives on the Mullaperiyar issue.He alleged that no efforts have been taken to pacify the anxiety of common man. It has virtually resulted in a near revolt against the state by people belonging to all walks of life irrespective of  caste, community, religion or party politics and the net result will be anarchy. He also requested for court intervention to solve the issue.According to Achuthanandan, the state as a trustee is under a legal duty to protect the natural resources.However, the state is not doing anything to protect the dam from collapsing rather it is thinking of measures to be taken in the event of its collapse. This goes against the doctrine of public interest, he submitted.The petitioner sought a directive to the governments to collectively take adequate and effective preventive measures to protect the lives of millions of people. He also sought a directive to take all remedial measures to protect and prevent collapse of the dam till an amicable settlement is arrived at.