Mullaperiyar: Yatra to press for implementation of SC verdict

Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, Feb 20 (UNI) Demanding the Centre to expeditiously implement the Supreme Court verdict on raising the storage level in the Mullaperiyar Dam to 142 ft, various farmers fora and political outfits commenced a padayatra from here today.

Inaugurating the five-day-long march, Dalit Panthers of India (DPI) Leader Thol Thirumavalavan warned the Centre and the Kerala Government against the adverse consequences of not honouring the court verdict. He criticised Kerala for its alleged intransigence in complying with the February order of the Apex Court.

Mullaperiyar Dam Rights Retrieval Committee Convenor and Tamil Nationalist Movement President Pazha Nedumaran, leading the march, was accompanied by a host of leaders of various farmers' organisations and political parties.

Speakers made a scathing attack on the political leadership in Kerala for 'indulging in dilatory tactics,' despite the state being dependent upon Tamil Nadu for essentials and foodgrains.

The march, after traversing through the five southern districts, would conclude at Gudalur, close to the dam site at Thekkady, on February 24.

UNI