New Delhi: MDMK chief Vaiko on Monday complained to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that Kerala government was creating "panic and fear psychosis" among the people on the Mullaperiyar Dam issue while contending that the 116-year-old structure was safe.
As the confrontation between the neighbouring states escalated over the safety of the dam, political leaders and lawmakers have been demanding Singh's intervention in the issue for the past few days.
Vaiko, who met the Prime Minister at his residence, told Singh that the Centre should take "urgent measures" to prevent the proposed construction of a new dam by Kerala Government.
He alleged that political parties in Kerala at the behest of the government were indulging in "atrocious, nefarious and illegal threatening activities" that pose a "serious threat" to the dam's safety.
In a memorandum submitted to Singh, Vaiko spoke in detail about the Supreme Court verdict that allowed the Tamil Nadu government to raise the level of the dam from the existing 136 ft to 142 ft and steps being taken to strengthen the dam with "sophisticated technology".
In a brief interaction with reporters, Vaiko said even for argument sake, if the dam gets damaged, the Mullaperiyar Dam will withstand and quoted studies by technocrats and engineers.
"But, the Kerala government and political parties are creating a fear psychosis and panic in the minds of Kerala people as if the dam is going to burst and devour the lives of lakhs and lakhs of people," the MDMK chief said.
He also demanded that the Centre deploy personnel of Central Industrial Security Force to guard the dam, a demand which was mooted by both Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and DMK chief M Karunanidhi.
While Tamil Nadu wants the dam level to be raised, Kerala is of the view that a new dam should be built.
Comments
0 comment