The Hindu : Front Page : Kerala not to allow CRPF at Mullaperiyar

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 27, 2006
ePaper

Front Page

Front Page

Kerala not to allow CRPF at Mullaperiyar

C. Gouridasan Nair

Minister says Tamil Nadu's demand is unconstitutional

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Government has taken strong exception to news reports suggesting that Tamil Nadu has approached the Centre with the request that Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel be deployed at the Mullaperiyar dam site and made it clear that there is no question of allowing any such deployment.

Talking to The Hindu over phone from Thiruvambadi on Sunday, Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran expressed surprise about the news reports and wondered how any such demand could have been made given the Constitutional provisions for deployment of Central forces in a State.

"Some have even reported that the Centre has decided to deploy CRPF personnel at Mullaperiyar. I feel such reports are borne out of an incorrect understanding of the parameters of Centre-State relations. But, at the same time, I wish to make it clear that there is no question of the Kerala Government allowing any such action," the Minister said.

No request placed

Mr. Premachandran said that Central forces or paramilitary forces could be deployed in any State only on its request or with its concurrence or under exceptional circumstances such as an Emergency.

The Kerala Government never requested for the services of CRPF personnel. The situation at Mullaperiyar was well within the control of the Kerala Government.

Then where is the question of deploying CRPF personnel, he asked. He said he did not think that the Centre would concede any such request.

The Minister said the Mullaperiyar dam was within Kerala territory and that the land had only been leased out to Tamil Nadu. Law and order was a State subject and therefore, Tamil Nadu had no right to demand deployment of CRPF at the dam site. Any such request, even if made by some quarters, should be rejected outright. If Tamil Nadu came up with any such demand at the November 29 talks, Kerala would strongly oppose it. "We don't think the Centre would also entertain any such demand," Mr. Premachandran said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page