[1]The Mullaperiyar dam agitation in state is on the wane, but the NRIs are not in a mood to give up, and are seeking to gather international support for the cause.
A group of UK residents will demonstrate at the Liverpool City Center on Feb. 25 urging the international community to intervene in the issue and press for the erection of a new dam.
As per the organisers, about 100 UK residents will participate in the demonstration at the St Luke’s Church in Liverpool from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm. The organisers have obtained the necessary permission.
While Kerala bats for a new dam at the site of the current 116-year-old dam, Tamil Nadu sees no threat to the existing structure and even wants to raise the height of the water level.
“The central government has so far failed to take any initiative, and the state government seems to have stopped pressing the matter before the Center,” Tome Jose said.
Thampy Jose and Thomas John, the main forces behind the UK protest, believe it was high time they gave a push to the Mullaperiyar struggle as the doubts over the safety of the dam were causing fear in the minds of close to 35,00,000 people in the state, especially those living downstream.
The agitation will be inaugurated by North West Green Party councilor John Coyne, said Jose, a resident of Liverpool, who has his roots in Idukki.
“When we approached Coyne, he readily agreed to participate in the agitation and promised to take necessary steps to create awareness on the issue.” he said.
“We chose the church as our location of the sathyagraha as it is considered a symbol of resistance. During the Second World War, the Germans bombed the church and after the war the council preserved it,” Tome added.
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[1] http://archive.asianage.com/mullajpgcropdisplayjpg-246