Jaya urges TN govt to move SC for Central force deployment

Chennai, Jan 3 (UNI) AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa today urged the Tamil Nadu Government to approach the Supreme Court immediately as the Centre had so far 'not heeded the state's request' to deploy para-military forces to protect the Mullaperiyar Dam in the wake of reported damage to its parapet.

In a statement here, she said the parapet had been damaged despite the Kerala Government, which was entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the dam, increasing the number of policemen manifold at the dam site.

'All these policemen are drawing salaries only from the Tamil Nadu Government. In such a case, how can this incident occur? Today, the parapet wall is damaged. Will the dam itself be damaged tomorrow?' she asked.

Stating that there was no hope that the Centre would give para-military protection to the dam, Ms Jayalalithaa accused Chief Minister M Karunanidhi of showing no concern on the issue.

It was the AIADMK's stand that the State Government should immediately approach the Supreme Court. If the Centre had respected Mr Karunanidhi's request, the para-military forces should have been deployed by now, but no such thing had happened, she remarked.

The Chief Minister had also not reiterated his demand when Prime Minister Manmohan Sigh arrived here last night on a visit to the state, she added.

UNI