DMK treasurer MK Stalin will lead a meeting in Coimbatore on September 3, to protest against the Kerala government’s decision to construct a dam across Siruvani, and Tamil Nadu government’s inaction in this issue.

A resolution adopted at a meeting of the district DMK officer bearers, led by former minister, Pongalur N Palanisamy, blamed the Tamil Nadu government for its failure to respond to the letters sent by the Centre and the Kerala government on the issue of constructing the dam. The environment ministry had cleared the project during its meeting on August 11 and 12, it claimed.

Kerala had attempted to construct a dam in 2002, but the plan was dropped after intense protest from the farmers and the general public, since it would deprive them of drinking water and also of water for irrigation to thousands of acres of farms in Tirupur, Erode, and Coimbatore districts. Moreover, the then UPA government, in which DMK was an ally, did not grant environmental clearance for the construction, the resolution said.

Fearing that the entire region may become a desert once the dam comes up, the party has announced a protest meeting in Coimbatore, in which Stalin will participate, it said.

More than 25,000 people from all walks of life, including farmers, members of political parties, and social enthusiasts, are expected to participate in the meeting on September 3.