Violence in Kerala- TN border over Mullaperiyar issue


Saturday, December 10, 2011: Amid raging row over the Mullaperiyar dam issue, stray violence occurred in Kumali near Kerala- Tamil Nadu border today by some protesters turned violent and stone pelted against police.
The incidents came two days after some anti-social elements allegedly pelted stones at Ayyappa devotees from Tamil Nadu in Iddukki district where the 116-year-old dam that has triggered a fresh war of words, is located.
In Chennai a few shops, including a hotel, came under attack even as police foiled a bid to target a popular Kerala-based jewellery showroom, police said. Security has been stepped up in the city as the row over the dam escalated with both Tamil Nadu and Kerala upping the ante on the issue.
Jayalalithaa had appealed to the people of Kerala not to indulge in acts of “senseless violence and vandalism over an imaginary non-issue”. On the other hand, an all-party meeting in Kerala yesterday stuck to the state’s demand for a new dam in place of the existing one, disregarding opposition by Tamil Nadu which insists that the present structure is safe.
A Kerala-bound bus was set ablaze in Gudalur in Theni district by some protesters after they asked the passengers to alight. In Coimbatore, 40 persons, belonging to two different organizations, were arrested when they attempted to force some shop owners, particularly jewellery establishments run by Kerala-based Groups, to down shutters.

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