Traffic paralysed on border as protesters attack vehicles from TN

Vehicles bound for Kerala from Tamil Nadu were stopped at check posts near Pollachi following a road blockade by farmers in the neighbouring state demanding the release of water from the Aliyar dam under the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project.

Police stopped the entry of vehicles into Kerala after vehicles came under attack from the farmers. Vehicles, mainly trucks carrying essential commodities like eggs, milk and vegetables, lined up at the Meenakshipuram check post on the Tamil Nadu side. Chaotic scenes were also witnessed at Gopalapuram, Govindapuram, Pollachi, Nadumuni and Velanthavalam check posts. 

The indefinite protest by Kerala farmers commenced from Thursday night seeking to release water to prevent crop loss. A fortnight ago, hundreds of farmers in Pollachi held a demonstration against releasing water from Aliyar dam to Kerala. The farmers besieged the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project office on the Pollachi-Udumalaipettai Road against releasing water as they feared that it might leave the Western TN districts without water for agriculture. The protests by Kerala farmers triggered counter agitations as members of the Dravidar Kazhagam and MDMK resorted to a road blockade. Around 20 members were arrested for protesting. 

As tension escalated, bus services in both Tamil Nadu and Kerala were operated only till their respective state borders in Pollachi. 

Under the PAP project, Tamil Nadu should release 7.25 tmc of water from the Aliyar dam through Manakkadavu weir to Kerala. Public Works Department officials said Tamil Nadu has so far released around 6 tmc of water to Kerala. 

While Tamil Nadu has reportedly maintained that it could not give water now due to scanty rainfall and low storage levels in dams, Kerala has been demanding the release of the remaining 1.25 tmc of water to save its standing crops in Chittur area. Tamil Nadu should release the water as per the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project accord by May to the neighbouring state. As all entry points to Kerala from Tamil Nadu were blocked near Pollachi, vehicles were diverted through the Walayar check post in the Coimbatore suburbs.