THIRUVANANTHAPURAM / CHENNAI: As the Centre stepped in to resolve the stand-off over Mullaperiyar row, an all-party meeting in Kerala today stuck to the state's demand for a new dam disregarding Tamil Nadu's opposition even as normalcy returned to protest-hit border areas on both sides.The entire political spectrum in Kerala resolved to move ahead unitedly on the issue by pressing for a new dam and lowering the water level to 120 feet in the 116-year old structure over which the state has expressed safety concerns.Reports from Idduki in Kerala and Theni in Tamil Nadu said tension in the border areas following some incidents yesterday has eased and inter-state vehicular movement resumed, though prohibitory orders remained in force in Kumily, bordering Tamil Nadu.Welcoming the Centre's decision to convene official level talks as a "positive step forward" to resolve the issue, the meeting authorised the UDF Government headed by Oommen Chandy to pursue Kerala's case taking all legal and administrative steps without compromising good ties with Tamil Nadu.The leaders wanted people to exercise utmost restraint as the state valued its relations with Tamil Nadu greatly, Chandy told reporters.The meeting was held ahead of the one-day special Kerala Assembly session on December 9 to discuss the dam issue and a day after the Centre invited officials of Tamil Nadu and Kerala for talks on either December 15 or 16.Chandy said Kerala was ready to give an undertaking that Tamil Nadu would continue to get the same quantum of water even if a new dam was built. In Chennai, Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Association announced all cinema houses across the state would be closed on December 15 protesting Kerala Government's stand on the dam issue."We will remain closed from 8 am to 6 pm across the state on December 15 and our members will hold a fast protesting the Kerala government stand. We strongly object to it," R Panneerselvam, General Secretary of Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners' Association said.There were over 1,450 theatres across Tamil Nadu, he added.A report from Cumbum and Gudalore said shops in the area remained closed for the second day today.Six hundred police personnel had been deployed and six officials, in the rank of SPs and DSPs, were closely monitoring the situation in the border areas, Police said.A consultative committee meeting was convened by Theni District Collector Palanisamy when views were sought from various sections of the People on maitaining peace in the border area.Former President A P J Abdul Kalam's Scientific Advisor V Ponraj said the dam was 'very safe' and described Kerala's fears were 'unfounded'."Mullaperiyar dam is safe, very safe. None of the dams are in the danger zone. Mullaperiyar dam is in a safe zone. So, there is no need to worry about it," he told reporters in Chennai.
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