Siruvani row: Attempt at rail roko foiled

COIMBATORE: Twenty-seven members of the All India Students' Federation (AISF) and the All India Youth Federation (AIYF) were arrested on Sunday morning for attempting a rail roko to protest against the Kerala government's move to construct a dam across Siruvani dam.
The Race Course police intercepted the protesters in front of the Coimbatore Junction around 11.20am, when they attempted to enter the station.
General secretary of the AISF, Coimbatore, M Gunasekar said, "We have three demands. The Kerala government should withdraw its plan to set up the dam on the river Siruvani. The central government should also cancel the environmental clearance that has been provided to construct the dam."
The AISF also wants the Tamil Nadu government to take steps to ensure water supply in Coimbatore.
Earlier this month, political parties and outfits carried out protests in the city against the Kerala government on the same issue. According to a member of AISF, the Kerala government has piled up construction material near Chitoor village in Palakkad district to construct the dam.
The outfit has also threatened to block Kerala-bound trains and vegetable supplies from Tamil Nadu if the state and the central governments did not take necessary steps to stop the construction of the dam.The protesters were detained in a marriage hall and released by evening.
Residents of Coimbatore fear that the construction of the dam across river Siruvani in Mukkali, near Palakkad district, may obstruct the supply of water to Coimbatore.
This may add up to the existing Cauvery and Mullaperiyar issues.