AIADMK to stage demo on Hoganekkal issue on Mar 27

Chennai, Mar 26: The Opposition AIADMK will stage a demonstration at Hoganekkal tomorrow to protest against several Kannada outfits staking claim to certain areas bordering Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa, in a statement here, alleged that the neighbouring States were raking up border issues like Hoganekkal and Ponnaiyaru as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi failed to assert the State's rights in river water issues like Cauvery, Mullaiperiyar and Palar with those States.

She faulted Mr Karunanidhi for choosing not to reply to former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa's poser on how Tamil Nadu could lay the foundation stone for the Hoganekkal integrated drinking water scheme when the Cauvery issue was pending before the court and without taking up a survey regarding the border dispute. Mr Yeddyurappa, along with his supporters, had recently visited Hoganekkal and claimed that certain places in the area were a part and parcel of Karnataka.

Ms Jayalalithaa said it was shocking to learn that Mr Karunanidhi was silent on the issue, despite the area claimed by Karnataka coming under the State limits, be it as per the survey of the British forest department or as per use. Even if a fresh survey had to be undertaken, the British maps would form the basis for it.

The AIADMK leader said it was saddening to note that the BJP was adopting an anti-Tamil Nadu stance.

The agitation, to be led by party Secretary M Thambidurai, was also to condemn Mr Karunanidhi for remaining a ''mute spectator'' to the issue and to demand the implementation of the water scheme, benefitting Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts, after doing away with all hurdles, she said.

UNI