Mullaperiyar row takes a political turn

By R. Ilangovan

MADURAI, DEC 4. The controversy over the water-level of Mullaperiyar Dam has taken a sharp political turn with the aggrieved ryots, worried over the `obstinate' signals emerging from across the border, having allowed the leaders of various Tamil chauvinistic groups, including Tamil Nationalist Movement, to take the lead in the proposed agitations against Kerala.

The consolidation of these Tamil nationalist movements, again on an issue in which the `pan-Tamil sentiments' are concerned after the Kannada actor `Rajkumar episode,' has annoyed the Governments of both Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Most of these outfits, in the past, have never exhibited constrains to bare their pro-Eelam and pro-LTTE affiliations. Their active role in the Mullaperiyar issue, has caused a profound embarrassment to Tamil Nadu Government at a time when the issue has reached a crucial stage before the Supreme Court, the moderates feel.

Justifying their decision to place the agitation on the hands of Tamil movements, the leaders and representatives of various farmers' fora, feel that a `potent warning' has to be given to the Government of Kerala for encouraging anti-Tamil agitations in their State on the Dam issue. ``This can be provided only by such committed groups, says a farmer leader.

Led by Tamil Tamizhar Iyakkam, a sworn pan-Tamil movement of the State, the proposed `anti-Kerala' agitation is being supported by Tamizhar Dravidar Iykkam, Tamil Desa Podu Udaimai Iyakkam, Tamil Desiya Iyakkam (Tamil Nationalist Movement), Bharathiya Forward Bloc and various Farmers' fora, which include Tamizaga Vivasayeegal Sangam, Cumbum Pallathakku Vivasayeegal Sangam, Vaigai-Periyar Pasana Peravai and 58-Canal Pasana Venduvor Sangam.

In fact, Tamil Tamizhar Iyakkam, as a prelude to a more greater participation in the Dam stir, earlier took out a five-day `padayatra' in November in the districts of Sivagangai, Madurai and Ramanathapuram, which have the tail-end beneficiaries of the Mullaperiyar Dam. The movement attempted to create an awareness among them on the urgent need to exhibit a `strong show of resentment' to both the Governments.

Nearly 40,000 acres of land, the ayacutdars say, are remaining fallow after the dam's level was lowered from its original height of 152 feet to present 136 feet in late Seventies. The Tamil Nationalist Movement leader, Mr. P. Nedumaran, addressed the participants on the concluding day of the padayatra in which Prof. Suba. Veerapandian, the president of Tamil Tamizhar Iyakkam also participated. An intelligence source claims that nearly 100 villages where the tail-end lands of Mullaperiyar reservoir remain untilled, have been covered during the padayatra.

The feed-back from the farmers also has been encouraging, particularly in Sivagangai district and in Usilampatti and Melur blocks in Madurai district.

According to Mr. Thiagu, general secretary of the Iykkam, in 1998 an awareness campaign among the ryots in Cumbum valley was organised and a small blockade was staged at Kumuli in Kerala by the volunteers of Tamil Tamizhar Iyakkam. The Tamil Santror Peravai also has supported the Kerala boycott call on the Dam issue.

Meanwhile, a meeting chaired by Dr. M. R. Sivasamy, State president of the Tamizhaga Vivasayeegal Sangam, and attended by the leaders and representatives of various Tamil groups and farmers' fora, here today, have decided to show black flag to Kerala Chief Minister when he visits Tamil Nadu. They have also decided to launch one-week `Kerala boycott' agitation after January 20.

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Section  : Southern States
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