Vaiko resumes padayatra against INO

ANDIPATTI

Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko on Tuesday began the second leg of his 10-day padayatra to Cumbum to create awareness against the proposed India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) project at Pottipuram near Thevaram.

Kick-starting his campaign in the district in the morning, he said five southern districts, including Madurai, would become a desert if the INO project was implemented. It would wipe out all existing water resources. Blasting of rocks using detonators to drill Ambarappar hill would certainly weaken and demolish Idukki and Mullaperiyar dams, he said.

Reacting to a question on the delay in constituting the Cauvery Management Board, he said the Central government was hesitating because it would affect the BJP’s electoral prospects in Karnataka. He also said Karnataka was going for two more dams in Megatatu with an aim to deny water to Tamil Nadu.

Mr. Vaiko announced that he would reschedule his tour plan, cancelling his padayatra on April 5 in support of the State-wide bandh called by the DMK. He planned to continue his padayatra to Bodi from Theni on April 4 and address public meeting in Bodi on Wednesday night. A sizeable number of cadre followed him.

Court boycott

Meanwhile, advocates boycotted courts and staged a demonstration in front of Bodi combined court complex, protesting the proposed INO project and condemning the delay in constituting the CMB.