NEW DELHI:The Supreme Court on Friday questioned the rationale behind Tamil Nadu government’s demand for deployment of Central Industry Security Force (CISF) at Mullaiperiyar dam since Kerala police is already posted there for its protection.
This query by the bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu came after counsel for Kerala government submitted that Tamil Nadu was raising a complaint on an issue which was settled by a constitutional bench.
Kerala also informed the court that a special police station is being set up there and hence deployment of CISF is unnecessary.
The Centre had earlier dismissed Tamil Nadu’s demand for CISF cover to the dam. In an affidavit filed in the apex court, the Centre had made it clear that central forces could not be deployed without the permission of Kerala.
The court adjourned the case for four weeks.
Meanwhile, the Centre had also denied permission to Kerala for conducting a pre-feasibility study for construction of a new dam at Mullaiperiyar.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), in an official communication to Kerala Government, has said that they are delisting the project as the matter is subjudice.
In May, the Supreme Court has rejected Tamil Nadu government’s plea seeking to prevent Kerala from carrying out EIA for new Mullaiperiyar dam. The area fell within the Periyar Tiger Reserve and the Standing Committee on National Board for Wildlife has cleared the proposal for EIA in December 2014.