KOTTAYAM: Expressing displeasure at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's statement that the Mullaperiyar dam is safe, the High Range Samrakshana Samithi (HRSS) on Monday said they would continue their campaign for a new dam.
The High Range Samrakshana Samithi , which claims the support of the farmers in Idukki district and has been supporting the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the recent elections, maintained that a new dam was needed to ensure the safety of the people living downstream.
Speaking exclusively to DC, its High Range Samrakshana Samithi convenor Fr Sebastian Kochupurackal said Mr Vijayan's statement that Kerala should move forward by new studies dispelling concern over the safety, gave enough hints that the state should end its abandon its demand for a new dam, and it is a shift in the state's stand.
"We stand firm on our demand for a new dam. The expert opinion we received and widespread anxiety of the people of the region support it. The chief minister has created much anxiety and concern among the people. He should rectify it and reflect concerns of the public,” he said.
He said the High Range Samrakshana Samithi will continue to support the Mullaperiyar Struggle Committee spearheading the campaign. The study report of the Indian Institue of Technology Roorkee maintains that the condition of the Mullaperiyar dam is weak. The IIT Delhi reports on the possibility of a flood at the Mullaperiyar dam in case of an increase in the water.
"More than the report of the IIT the simple logic and the concern of the people of the region is enough for us to reach a conclusion that a new dam has to be constructed", said, Father Nirappel former chairman of the Mullaperiyar struggle.
The open stand taken by the High Range Samrakshana Samithi had helped the LDF in both the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Idukki.
