VR Krishna Iyer writes to PM on Mullaperiyar issue


December 10, 2011: Justice VR Krishna Iyer to wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in connection with the Mullaperiyar dam issue which has seen Kerala and Tamil Nadu at loggerheads.
In his letter Krishna Iyer urged break his silence on the issue as soon as possible citing the imminent danger posed by the 116-year-old reservoir on the lives of 40 lakh people.
Krishna Iyer added that Kerala has the authority to build a new dam in Mullaperiyar according to International law.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Manmohan Singh informed that the Mullaperiyar dam issue which has seen Kerala and Tamil Nadu at loggerheads will be resolved amicably as soon as possible.
Defence Minister A K Antony has met Manmohan Singh seeking a peaceful solution to the dispute. His meeting with the Prime Minister took place on a day Kerala Assembly unanimously passed a resolution insisting on a new dam to replace the 116-year old reservoir and UPA ally DMK expressed dissatisfaction with Centre over its handling of the issue.
Prime Minister is learnt to have informed Antony that all efforts are being made by the Centre to bring the two warring states to the negotiating table for amicably settling the dispute. This is for the third time that Antony met the Prime Minister after the issue generated heat both in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, sources said.
The issue has snowballed in the last two weeks with Kerala raising the pitch for the new dam citing safety concerns about the existing structure. Tamil Nadu has charged Kerala with whipping up panic and moved the Supreme Court for a direction to deploy CISF at the dam site, the scene of protests.

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