By IANS,
Chennai: Deployment of central forces to protect the Mullaperiyar Dam against vandals, exercise of restraint and boycott of official level talks by Tamil Nadu were some of the views political leaders in the state expressed Tuesday on the festering issue.
Demanding central protection for the Mullaperiyar dam in Kerala, Tamil Nadu BJP President Pon Radhakrishnan said the issue was instigated by the Kerala government and the centre should take action against it.
Speaking to reporters here, Radhakrishnan said: “The protests are instigated by the state government. Such actions will affect national integration.”
He said central forces should be deployed for the dam’s protection.
Condemning the attacks by miscreants on Ayyappa devotes from Tamil Nadu visiting Sabarimala, Radhakrishan warned Kerala that it would face major consequences.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Congress Chief B.S. Gnanadesikan urged the leaders of Kerala and Tamil Nadu to exercise restraint and wait for the apex court verdict on the issue.
He told reporters that all the parties in Tamil Nadu, including the Congress, are united on the Mullaperiyar dam issue.
PMK founder S. Ramadoss, in a statement issued here, urged the Tamil Nadu government to boycott the official-level talks with Kerala slated for Dec 16 or 17.
Referring to media reports that Tamil Nadu has agreed to the talks, Ramadoss said the centre has been acting in favour of Kerala without taking into account Tamil Nadu’s sensibilities.