Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has urged the people of the state to refrain from violent protest on Mullaperiyar dam issue with Tamil Nadu.

Addressing the media after an all party meeting on the issue in Thiruvananthapuram yesterday, he said that unanimous resolution passed by the meeting demands reduction of the present water level of the dam to 120 feet and construction of a new dam, decommissioning the existing one.

Mr. Chandy expressed the hope that the issue will be sorted out between the two states amicably. The resolution also promises regular supply of water to Tamil Nadu.

Meanwhile, the Kerala High Court has directed experts of the state government to provide details of the velocity of water at different levels flowing from Mullaperiyar dam to the Idukki reservoir.

A Division Bench of the court also asked them to provide details of the safety level at which water at Idukki dam can be maintained, taking into account the quantum of water required for power generation during summer.

A team of experts present in the court told the bench that steps are being taken to reduce the water level in the Idukki dam. They concurred with the view expressed last Friday by the Advocate General K P Dandapani that the Idukki Arch Dam is strong enough to accommodate the entire water from Mullaperiyar reservoir.

The Bench observed that the developments relating to the controversy surrounding the Advocate General's submission were unfortunate.