Vaiko to undertake Padayatra from Dec 18 on Dam issue

Chennai, Nov 30 (UNI) Marumalarchi DMK (MDMK) General Secretary Vaiko today announced that he would undertake a ''Padayatra'' (walk) to stress the need for protecting the state's right on Mullaiperiyar Dam issue on December 18 from Madurai.

In a statement here, Mr Vaiko said to educate the people of the state, especially the farmers in Southern districts, on the need to protect our rights, he would undertake ''Mullaiperiyar rights protection yatra'' from December 18 to 23.

He would begin the yatra in Madurai on December 18 and end the same on December 23 at Gudalur, covering Chekkanoorani, Usilampatti, Andipatti, Theni, Chinnamanur, Uthamapalayam and Cumbum in Southern districts, he said.

Mr Vaiko said the yatra would be undertaken in a peaceful manner without causing any hindrance to traffic and law and order and exhorted partymen and farmers to take part in the yatra in large numbers.

During the yatra, he would explain to the people as how the State and Central Governments had failed to protect the interest of Tamil Nadu in the issue and how the Kerala Government's refusal to allow the water level to be raised to 142 ft would affect the interest of farmers in South, he added.

UNI WS VA RS1432