Thiruvananthapuram 21-12-2011: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said here today that Special care had been taken to ensure the safety of Tamil pilgrims to Sabarimala in the wake of the recent developments in the Mullaperiyar issue. Addressing the editors from various print and visual media houses the CM said that the Government was  providing maximum protection to the Tamil population here and instruction had been given to the police to take strict action in case of any untoward instance.

Kerala was ready for talks with Tamil Nadu at any level and at any time on the Mullaperiyar issue, the CM said, adding the State had no hidden agenda in the matter.

The State was seeking an amicable solution to the issue without hurting its good relations with Tamil Nadu. He said that the State was getting good cooperation from Tamil Nadu police in handling emergency situation . Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Paneer Selvam, during his talks with him recently in Bangalore, had agreed to convey Kerala’s concern in the matter to the Chief Minister of that State.

Ministers P K Kunhalikutty, K M Mani, P J Joseph, K C Joseph, Additional Chief Secretary K Jayakumar and others were also present at the meeting.