Udhagamandalam:
A number of shops and hotels here downed shutters today protesting Kerala's stand on the Mullaperiyar dam issue.
The usually bustling tourist town wore a deserted look with cars not plying and bakeries and other business establishments remaining closed.
Some tourists from North India were seen cooking food on the road side, while some others had gone to Coonoor, about 20 km from here, by government buses.
Kerala is insisting on a new dam to replace the existing 116-year-old structure to which Tamil Nadu is opposed.