Chandy appeals to Jaya for peace

Meets Tamil Nadu Finance Minister O Panneerselvam

On a day Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy met Tamil Nadu Finance Minister O Panneerselvam in Bangalore,he wrote a letter to his counterpart J Jayalalithaa,requesting her to ensure the safety of Keralites living in her state.

Drawing her attention to some of the instances of violence,including the reported manhandling of Malayalees by advocates in Chennai the other day,Chandy urged Jayalalithaa to make an appeal to the public not to indulge in such acts of violence and vandalism aimed at Kerala people.

The letter said the sense of insecurity created by misinformation needed to be curbed. Certain sections of the Tamil Nadu media were whipping up passions by repeatedly projecting totally irrelevant and misleading images,Chandy alleged.

He said the Kerala government had already taken necessary steps to ensure the safety of people from Tamil Nadu. I am willing to issue a joint statement with you and appeal urging peace and restraint and promising all protection, he added.

About his meeting with the Tamil Nadu Finance Minister the first high-level bilateral interaction after the raging Mullaperiyar dam row broke out last month Chandy said,I expressed the view of Kerala to him (Panneerselvam). First time after this controversy we are meeting any leader from Tamil Nadu… first time.

Chandy and Panneerselvam were in Bangalore to attend the meeting convened by Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee with Chief Ministers of south zone states and Union Territories and CEOs of public sector banks and financial institutions.

Paneerselvam said he would convey Chandys feelings to Jayalalithaa,who was not present at the meeting.

(With PTI,Bangalore)