Total shutdown in five districts

Thiruvananthapuram:  Demonstrations demanding a nod from Tamil Nadu for a brand new dam to replace the leaking Mullaperiyar dam continued in Kerala yesterday. Five districts observed a complete shutdown.

The shutdown was called by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Kerala Congress (Mani), a constituent of the ruling Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).

While the BJP called for protests in Idukki, Kottayam, Alappuzha and Ernakulam, the Kerala Congress (Mani) also included the nearby Pathanamthitta district.

Tamil Nadu wants the dam's storage capacity to be increased by raising the dam height — from 41.5 metres to 43 metres as irrigation needs have shot up in the state.

Kerala, worried that a strong earthquake might damage the dam and cause widespread destruction, is seeking a new dam and has offered to fund and build it. But Tamil Nadu does not agree.

With passions running high in the five Kerala districts where residents fear for their lives, the shutdown appears to be total with just private vehicles operating.

Tremors

Idukki is observing a shutdown for the second day and the border checkpost which separates the two states at Kumily remains closed. Barring vehicles carrying Sabarimala pilgrims, no one else was allowed to cross.

"People in and around Idukki district have been living in fear, as over 20 tremors have taken place since June. We went to Idukki to express our solidarity with the people there," said Arun Abraham from Kanjirapally in Kottayam.

E.S. Bijimol, the local Communist Party of India (CPI) legislator from Peerumedu in Idukki, continued her fast for the third day.