Mullaperiyar issue: CM writes to DMK supremo

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy wrote a letter to DMK Supremo M Karunanidhi on Friday in which he stated that Tamils residing and those visiting the state were safe. He said that the lives and property of Tamils in the state were safe and the rumour that Tamils were being attacked in Kerala was baseless.The Chief Minister wrote the letter against the backdrop of Karunanidhi giving a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to Tamil Nadu recently. Chandy said that he had given directive to the Kerala Police to take stringent action against any kind of offence against Tamils in the state. The Chief Minister also assured the DMK chief that though there was widespread concern among the people of Kerala on the safety after tremors at Mullaperiyar Dam site, there was nothing against the people of Tamil Nadu or Tamil Nadu Government. “Kerala wants to settle the dispute and is committed to provide water to Tamil Nadu from the Mullaperiyar dam. But there are attacks taking place against Malayalees and their business establishments in Tamil Nadu. Also many students studying in various colleges across Tamil Nadu have returned to Kerala.” He urged the DMK chief to intervene in the issue to find an amicable settlement as a leader who is heading a responsible party in the region. He also said that it was unfortunate that Karunanidhi had rejected all the concerns raised by Kerala in connection with the Mullaperiyar Dam. Chandy pointed out that as thousands of Keralites were living in fear over a Mullaperiyar dam collapse, construction of a new dam was the only solution.