Mullaperiyar protest: Traffic resumes between borders

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 24 (UNI) Vehicular traffic, which was blocked by protestors in Tamil Nadu against Kerala's stand on Mullaperiyar Dam, has resumed after activists and farmers withdrew the agitation.

The Kerala-Tamil Nadu border had been virtually sealed from yesterday after protestors blocked movement of vehicles, both passenger and goods carriers.

Hundreds of buses and lorries were seen lined up at the border check posts of Walayar, Kumili and Kaliyikkavila this morning.

Thousands of people, including women and children were stranded at the borders. Tourists, Sabarimala pilgrims and students were the worst affected by the blockade.

Some passengers who had reached Thiruvananthapuram Airport in the morning and were heading to bordering Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu were stranded at the Airport.

The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), which halted services, decided to resume them, sources said. The KSRTC had decided to stop services as some buses were damaged by agitators yesterday.

A report from Palakkad said the 'road roko' agitation had hit students, who were studying in Coimbatore.

An Idukki report said a hartal was observed at Kumily, near here, against Tamil Nadu's protest. All shops and other establishments remained closed and vehicles were off the roads. The report also said tension prevailed in Kumily, Vandiperiyar, Peerumedu and Nedungandum.

It added that traffic on the Kumbum-Kumuli highway, which was paralysed was yet to resume. Earlier in the day, reports said protestors had not allowed even two wheelers to pass the border.

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