The intelligence bureau of the Union home ministry has recommended replacement of the Kerala police with Central security cover for the Mullaiperiyar dam, a bone of contention between Tamil Nadu and Kerala. As early as 2006, the home ministry, in a preliminary report, had suggested that the dam be
provided with Central paramilitary force like the CRPF or CISF. “Being an important project, it could be targeted for sabotage by the groups. Damage to the installation by disgruntled, ideologically subverted employees during a strike/agitation and or by an irate mob during civil commotion also cannot be ruled out. Theft/pilferage of costly items and fire are the other potent threats,” the IB has said.
The dam, located on the Kerala side of the state boundaries, is under the administrative control of Tamil Nadu. The reservoir, a prohibited place under the official secrets Act, 1923, could be reached by boat from Thekkady or by road from Vallakadavu.
The industrial security inspection team that visited the dam on November 9, 2006, has identified Mullaiperiyar dam, Baby dam and Earthen dam, sluice gate at Thekkady among others as vulnerable points.
“Entry to the dam is regulated through photo identity cards but the same do not carry date of issue and validity. The visitors are not issued visitors pass. The vehicles are neither searched nor a vehicle register maintained at the gate,” the industrial security inspection team has observed. It also wants the movement of vehicles using the road adjacent to the dam towards a quarry to be checked. According to the present arrangement, Kerala police provide security to the dam, while the TN government pays them salaries.