Tuesday, 20 December 2011: Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today refuted reports that devotees from other states visiting Sabarimala shrine had been facing problems in the wake of the row with Tamil Nadu over Mullaperiyar dam issue and asserted that pilgrims’ safety was top priority for the government.Speaking at his mass contact programme here, Chandy said Kerala would never assume provocative posture over the issue as it valued the relationship with Tamil Nadu greatly.
The safety and security of Sabarimala pilgrims were a matter of top priority for the government, he said. Some political outfits and organisations in Tamil Nadu have stepped up protests, alleging that Ayyappa devotees from the state were being attacked.
On December 5,some anti-social elements had allegedly pelted stones at Ayyappa devotees from Tamil Nadu in Idukki district. The Chief Minister also directed top police officials to take all necessary steps to ensure that the devotees visited the hill shrine without any hassle.
Measures should also be taken for smooth flow of vehicles carrying pilgrims from other states. The 41-day ‘Mandala pooja’ season of the Lord Ayyappa temple in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district has been on since mid-November.
Chandy said Kerala was keen to resolve the issue without in any way rupturing its good relations with the neighbouring state. Meanwhile, members of the Petitions Committee of the Kerala Assembly today visited the Mullaperiyar dam in Idukki district and voiced concern over the safety of the 116-year-old structure.
The Committee Chairman Thomas Unniadan said the dam had seepages in as many as 34 blocks.
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