27 Jan 2012, 1030 hrs IST

Kerala News: Chennai, Kerala Chief Minister Ommen Chandy today reiterated his appeal for talks with Tamil Nadu government on the Mullapperiar dam issue. He stressed that construction of a new dam was inevitable, citing the danger to the lives of the people of his state living downstream of the dam.

We know that the five districts in Tamil Nadu depend on the water our state has been supplying from the dam. In future also we will continue to give the same quantity of water as per the standing agreement , Mr Chandy told newspersons here at the aiport. Mr Chandy was here enroute to Puducherry to attend the funeral of Kerala Governor and former Puducherry Chief Minister M O H Farook who passed away here last night.

He said but at the same time it was the responsibility of his government to safeguard the lives of the people who were living downstream of the dam. So, both the states must hold talks to sort out the contentious issue so that the friendly ties which the two states enjoy, are not affected , Mr Chandy said. Our wish is that there is no breach in the friendly ties between Tamil Nadu and Kerala , he said.

Yesterday, Mr Chandy had also appealed that the people of Tamil Nadu and Kerala should remain vigilant against efforts by certain quarters to vitiate the atmosphere and trying to fan communal passions