The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Ms. J. Jayalalitha has sought immediate deployment of Central Industrial Security Force, CISF, at the Mullaperiyar dam to “avert man-made catastrophic consequences and mob vandalisation”.

In a letter written to Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh, the state Chief Minister has referred to the current situation prevailing along the Tamil Nadu- Kerala Border for the past two days. She said that on Saturday, a mob of 2000 people damaged the gate at the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board Facility at the dam.

Calling it as an orchestrated campaign of fear mongering, she reiterated there was no need to fear for the dam’s safety as much older dams than the Mullaperiyar was functional.

Referring to the Kallanai dam built by Karikala Cholan in the 2nd Century AD which is still functioning without any problem, Ms.Jayalalithaa said that the same materials stone and Surki was used by Major Pennycuick to construct the Mullaperiyar dam.

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has also pressed for deployment of Central Security Force instead of Kerala State Police personnel at the Mullaperiyar dam. In a letter to Justice A.S.Anand, the Chairman of the Empowered Committee for Mullaiperiyar Dam, Mr. Karunanidhi requested him not to accept the claim of the Kerala Government to reduce the water level to 120 feet from 136 feet.

Quoting the Supreme Court order in 2006, Mr. Karunanidhi said that the Court’s directive to Kerala to allow the increase of water level to 142 feet from 136 feet, should be implemented immediately.

At least two persons were injured as protests by BJP workers turned violent near Kumili along the TN Kerala border yesterday. The Theni Collector then spoke to the Collector of Idukki district to prevent the entry of agitators.