Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala is keenly pursuing measures to make people in Tamil Nadu aware of the earnest attempts being made by the Kerala Government to ensure waters from Mullaperiyar to that state, even while raising the demand for a new dam, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has said.
He said that the government would also ensure the safety of Sabarimala pilgrims and Tamil people living in the state.
Addressing a meet of editors of print and electronic media in the state on Wednesday, Chandy said that even when the stance of Kerala on Mullaperiyar had gained wide acceptance at the national level, the message had failed to make much headway in Tamil Nadu.
"It is the result of a concerted bid by certain elements there to create confusion," Chandy said.
"The situation has slowly begun to change after Kerala issued an ad in the Tamil Nadu dailies explaining the stance of the state," he said.
Chandy said that the anxiety of Kerala on the safety of the outdated Mullaperiyar dam is not something orchestrated but is the result of genuine fears among a vast section of the people due to recurring tremors in the region.
"It was not created by anyone or at a minister's press meet," he explained.
The chief minister urged all in the state to exercise utmost restraint and see to it that nothing untoward happens in the state over the Mullaperiyar issue.
"It is a matter of concern that Keralites in Tamil Nadu are facing trouble through sporadic incidents of violence and attacks. They are going through a phase of fear and uncertainty. The Mullaperiyar issue should not be allowed to lead to tension . If such an approach succeeds, Kerala will win its case on the Mullaperiyar issue," he said.
He also said that Tamil Nadu officials were extending all support to ensure the safety of Keralites living there.
The chief minister said that steps will be taken to prevent any incident of attacks against Tamils or vehicles of Sabarimala pilgrims.
Suggestions were voiced at the meet to rope in the services of personalities like Cho Ramaswamy to mediate with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and mobilising the support of the vast trading community of Tamil origin in the state on the issue.
"We'll look at all options. In due course, people in Tamil Nadu and the government will accept Kerala's stance," he hoped.
Industries Minister PK Kunhalikutty, Finance Minister KM Mani, Water Resources Minister PJ Joseph, Rural Development Minister K C Joseph and Home Secretary K Jayakumar and others were present.
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