KUMILY: Even as Kerala made a bungle of the Mullaperiyar case, the state has set an example for Tamil Nadu by not being emotional despite the provocative steps taken by the neighbouring state on the issue. According to police, there are reports of sporadic protests in Tamil Nadu accusing E S Bijimol MLA, of the CPI, and her supporters of misbehaving with Tamil Nadu officials at the Mullaperiyar dam on Monday. “Tamil Nadu should learn a lesson from the way the political leadership and the public are handling the sensitive issue,” a trader in Kumily said.The other day, a few AIADMK workers came to Thekkady and shouted slogans in favour of Jayalalithaa and offered flowers in the waters of Thekkady. The incident was ignored by the locals and the political leadership of Kumily. The sensitive area of Kumily, which is a gateway and transit point for Sabarimala pilgrims from Tamil Nadu and other states, has remained tension-free due to the restraint and maturity shown by political parties and the people. Large number of pilgrims from Tamil Nadu come to Sabarimala through Kumily where many of them camp for several hours without facing any protest. MDMK chief Vaiko had made a provocative speech opposing the construction of a check dam by Kerala on the Pambar river for using three TMC (thousand million cubic) feet of water as per the ruling of Cauvery Water Tribunal. The speech was rejected by the people. “Vaiko’s call to demolish the dam if Kerala built it is not in tune with the principles of the Constitution,” the trader said.Ironically, Vaiko fails to understand that the dam at Pattissery in Kanthaloor panchayat is being built to help irrigate the vegetables and fruits grown by farmers of Tamil origin living in Idukki.Tamil Nadu’s stubbornness in not releasing the water and thereby making Mullaperiyar dam unsafe is also a blow to the Tamils living in the vulnerable areas of the dam. Majority of the people living in Vallakadavu, Vandiperiyar and other areas are Tamils who are upset over the neighbouring state’s stand.