Naval team denied permission to carry out study
Theni, Tamil Nadu, Nov 23 (UNI) The Public Works Department (PWD) of Tamil Nadu today denied permission to a Naval team to carry out a study of the Mullaiperiyar Dam.
Accompanied by Idukki Collector A K Rajan, the team arrived at Thekkady earlier in the day and sought permission to carry out a study. But it was turned down by the PWD Engineers stationed there.
Later, Theni Collector Harsahay Meena, who was approached for permission, directed the team to immediately vacate the dam site.
Sporadic protests erupted condemning Kerala's intransigence in complying with the Supreme Court order on hiking storage level in the dam and resorting to provocative actions.
People in large numbers, led by functionaries of the DMK, Congress, PMK and various farmers' fora, resorted to picketing and blocked traffic to Kerala via Kumili, Bodinayakkanur and Cumbum. The protests were was still continuing, police said.
Barring the CPI(M), local functionaries and workers of the DMK's allies have joined the stir.
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