Chennai: DMK chief M. Karunanidhi on Tuesday urged Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa to find a solution to the construction of Pullur check dam across the Palar by Andhra Pradesh government through legal measures or by holding negotiations.
Tamil Nadu will lose its rights over Palar and even the entire river if it failed to oppose the construction of check dam by Andhra Pradesh government, Karunanidhi said, citing the remarks of people fighting against the dam construction.
The DMK leader alleged that Kanaganachiamman temple on the banks of Palar was maintained by Tamil Nadu HR and CE and it had now been forcibly taken over by Andhra Pradesh government. The power connection from Tamil Nadu had been cut off and Andhra Pradesh government had provided electricity connection to the temple. The Andhra Pradesh government had planned to build a check dam over Palar's tributary Pamalu Onga and to raise the height of a lake to store more water.
According an agreement between Madras Presidency and Mysore kingdom in 1892, the height of dams across Palar should not be raised without the consent of Tamil Nadu and no new dams could be built, he said.
The Andhra Pradesh government had violated the agreement and claiming rights over the area, which comes within Tamil Nadu, he said.
