Lalu talks to PM, Karunanidhi over Palakkad-Salem rail div issue

Sarnath, Varanasi, Aug 25 (UNI) Taking serious note of protestors in Tamil Nadu blocking the passage of Kerala-bound trains over the vexed Palakkad-Salem rail division issue Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today spoke to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and TN chief minister M Karunanidhi to resolve the matter.

''I have talked to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and TN chief minister M Karunanidhi today about the passage of Kerala bound trains being stopped by protestors in Tamil Nadu and they have assured me that such things will not be allowed to happen again,'' Mr Prasad told newspersons immediately after being elected the RJD president at the party national executive meet.

Mr Prasad was assured by the PM and the Tamil Nadu CM that a formula would soon be evolved to get an amicable solution to the problem.

''I have talked to both the chief ministers Mr Karunanidhi and Mr V S Achuthanandan over the bifurcation of the Palakkad rail division of Kerala to create Salem rail division headquartered in Tamil Nadu, he said.

The creation of Salem rail division is in its final stages.

It was a matter of contention in Parliament with both DMK and CPI(M) raising the issue in the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha respectively.

UNI