Theni: For the third time in a row, Kerala forest officials denied permission for a team of National Security Guards (NSG) and Tamil Nadu Public Works Department (PWD) officials to inspect the Mullaiperiyar dam on Tuesday. Though NSG team were given permission to visit the dam after intervention of Kerala top officials, the team called off their routine inspection, said PWD sources.
According to PWD sources, the Kerala forest officials prevented executive engineer A. Madhavan along with other engineers and workers who were visiting the dam to undertake routine maintenance work. The Kerala officials are insisting that every officials and workers should sign the register with full address and purpose of their visit. “We are also asked to show our identity cards,” official said, adding that there was no such practice followed all these years.
Along with PWD officials, a four-member NSG team led by officer Mohan came to inspect the security arrangements made by the Kerala police. However, the Kerala officials denied entry to NSG team as well. They said that since NSG team did not get prior permission to visit the dam, they could not be able to allow them.
“NSG top brass has communicated to Kerala’s chief secretary about their planned visit to the dam. It seems there is a communication gap between them,” PWD sources said, adding that after the issue was taken up with higher officials of Kerala, the NSG team alone was permitted to enter dam but they declined.
The NSG team’s visit came in the backdrop of recent manhandling of PWD engineer Mr Madhavan at the dam site by few people who accompanied Peermedu MLA Biju Mol. After the incident, the Tamil Nadu government sought deployment of Central Industrial Security Force to guard the dam and also to ensure security of officials working at the dam site.
Following which a team of CISF commander Anil Bali, from Kochi, inspected the main dam and the baby dam, checked the vantage points and sensitive areas and discussed the security arrangements with PWD officials on November 25. PWD officials were earlier prevented entry on November 27 and December 1.
