Chennai: Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Sunday withdrew his remark on the Mullapariyar dam row between Kerala and Tamil Nadu that the former was raking up the issue only in view of the impending byelection there.
In a statement to clearify his remark yesterday while speaking at the Congress party meeting here, Mr Chidambaram said, ”I take back the remark.”
He said he had made a passing reference to the forthcoming by-election (in Kerala), like some other speaker. ‘ That reference was not necessary and it was not my intention to hurt the feelings of anyone.”
”I continue to believe that the issue must be resolved in a spirit of cooperation and brotherhood between the people of the two states”, the Union Home Minister said.
Mr Chidambaram also clarified that he had appealed to everyone that the two state governments must act with dignity, restraint and patience said fears over the safety of the dam were not justified. But it was the duty to removed the apprehensions on thesafety of the dam.
”I said that the safety of the dam was the concern of not only Kerala but also Tamil Nadu, because Tamil Nadu was dependent on the water from the dam. I also appealed to everyone to await the report of the three-judge panel and the decision of the Supreme Court,” he clarified.
Chandy asks TN CM
to stop attacks against Keralites
Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Sunday urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa to take steps against attacks on Keralites in Tamil Nadu on Mullaperiyar dam issue.
In a letter to Ms Jayalalithaa, he said “‘in Kerala, we have taken every possible step to ensure that no person from Tamil Nadu is attacked. There are highly disturbing news about several instances of attacks on Keralites in Tamil Nadu on the eve of the current debate on the Mullaperiyar issue.”
An unfortunate instance of Advocates manhandling Malayalees has been reported in leading national dailies. Other instances of vandalism and attacks have also been reported, he said.
Police deployment in Kumily and other sensitive areas have been strengthened.
However, there is a widespread disinformation campaign which needs to be addressed immediately, he said.
He said false reports were doing the rounds. A report about Tamil labourers fleeing Kerala and a camp being opened for them in Theni was one such case of misinformation. (PTI)