COIMBATORE: Several political parties in Tamil Nadu, strongly condemning the Kerala government’s move to construct a checkdam across river Bhavani at Thekottai in Palakkad, have decided to form a human chain on January 21, and subsequently, besiege the proposed dam site on January 29, if Kerala refuses to drop its plan.
Representatives of the DMK, TPDK, Viduthalai Siruthaikal Katchi, Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangam, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, Tamil Puligal, SDPI, Adi Tamilar Viduthalai Munnani, and the Kongu Nadu Jananagaya Katchi, attended the meeting.
Representatives of these political parties have also decided to meet the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, and urge them to stop the proposed construction of the check dam across the river.
Former DMK Minister Pongalur N Palanisamy, who participated in the meeting held in the city on Tuesday to discuss the issue, said, “We will meet Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panner Selvam and his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan to stop the construction works, since Kerala government has started preliminary works.”
“Before that, we will be organising few protests including forming a human chain on January 21 in Coimbatore, and besieging the proposed dam site on January 29,” he added. Palanisamy also said that Kerala’s move not only would affect the drinking water scenario in the region, but also affect agriculture in Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode districts. Equally affected by this would be the over five lakh Malayalees who have been living in Coimbatore for decades.
“To increase the support among public in these three districts, several groups would be created on WhatsApp, and it will be used to circulate messages rather than any other medium,” said Palanisamy.
K Ramakrishnan, general secretary, Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam (TPDK), who visited the spot said, “The dam is proposed to be built 12-feet-deep across Bhavani river. Construction work started four days back and construction materials are stocked near the site. A heavy earthmoving machine was also seen.”