File Photo: DMK chief M Karunanidhi.
DMK chief M Karunanidhi has criticised the Tamil Nadu government for "dragging LTTE's" name in its plea in the Supreme Court seeking Central forces to guard the Mullaiperiyar Dam replacing Kerala police.
"Though it is necessary to argue (in Supreme Court) that Central security forces are needed to guard the Mullaiperiyar Dam, unnecessarily faulting LTTE and stating that there is a threat to the dam from them is inviting unnecessary trouble," he said in a statement.
Supreme Court on Friday sought Kerala's response on the Tamil Nadu government's plea that security of the Mullaperiyar dam be handed over to CISF.
In its plea, the Tamil Nadu government had reportedly referred to an Intelligence Bureau report of September 2014 that claimed that the Mullaiperiyar dam was vulnerable to terror threats.
The report referred to threat from "Islamist terror outfits, remnant cadres of LTTE, and Naxals" and had advised precautionary measures.
Karunanidhi also condemned the State for what he called "denigrating" LTTE in the issue rather than submitting "strong true reasons" to seek Central forces to protect the dam.
The top court bench headed by Chief Justice HL Dattu issued notice on the plea which also sought that Kerala be not allowed to seek environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) for constructing a new dam.
While the dam, which irrigates several southern districts, is in Kerala which is also guarding the site, the onus of its maintenance is vested with Tamil Nadu under an agreement.
Often, there had been allegations that Tamil Nadu Public Works Department officials were prevented from entering the site by Kerala authorities.