New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS): The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Tuesday urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to initiate steps to end the row over the Mullaperiyar dam between Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Underlining the the central government's need to "intervene and see that steps are taken to ensure the safety of the dam," the CPI-M asked the prime minister to "take the initiative with both state governments for this".
The controversy has to be settled keeping in mind the safety of the dam and the provision of water to Tamil Nadu, it said.
It referred to attacks on people from Tamil Nadu in Kerala and vice-versa and said some shops had been attacked in some cities in Tamil Nadu.
"All these are unfortunate given the long-standing harmonious and good relations between the peoples of the two states," it said.
"The chauvinist forces who are seeking to whip up tensions on both sides of the border should be rebuffed."