Police arrests over 70 protesters for trying to cross over to Kerala on dam issue

More than 70 activists of various parties and organisations were on Wednesday arrested on the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border when they attempted to cross over to Kerala to inspect an area where that state is reportedly constructing a check dam across the Siruvani-Bhavani rivers.

Police said they raised slogans against the Tamil Nadu government for remaining mute spectator on the issue and Kerala for constructing the dam, thus depriving water to Tamil Nadu.

The protesters, led by DMK MLA, N Karthik, leaders of Congress, MDMK, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhagam (TPDK), staged the demonstration at Anaikatti.

Police prevented them from crossing over to the neighbouring state.

Later talking to reporters, Karthik alleged that Kerala had already constructed check dams at Manjukandi and Thekkuvattai and constructing one at Kottathurai, which would affect the farmers of Erode, Tirupur and Coimbatore districts.

Karthik said the parties will decide their future course of action on the issue, including demonstrations on a large-scale against Kerala.

District Congress president Mayura Jayakumar, TPDK general secretary K Ramakrishnan, VCK zonal convenor Susi Kalaiyarasan were among those arrested, police said.