TN Traders worried over continuing agitation

KUMILY: With the Mullaperiyar issue bringing  their lives to a standstill, the people in Kerala - Tamil Nadu border areas are hoping for an end to the turbulence and misery. When ‘Express’ team travelled a few kilometres into Tamil Nadu through the forests, many a Tamil natives said they want both the governments to discuss and solve the matter soon.Muhammad Rafique, a vegetable trader from Kambam, says his business has already been affected by continuous strikes and protests in the border area. “The life here has become miserable and whole business suffered a major setback. I had sent four lorries of vegetables to Kottayam but it is still stranded at Lower Periyar checkpost. The other vegetable bookings to Kerala have been cancelled. Now tomato is sold here at the rate of `1 per kg. Coconut is sold for `3. During Sabrimala season when the demand for vegetables are very high, the tension in the border has caused them a loss of several lakhs. The farmers and other businessmen are also facing a similar plight” Rafique said. Ansar, another business man said farmers and  businessmen had taken heavy loans. “I have a loan of `6 lakhs. The vegetables have not moved for last one week. If the goods can not be transported we would be debt-ridden very soon. The governments should understand the crisis and find an immediate solution,” he said. “We believe that the situation would not have turned violent if the politicians did not interfere. In Kerala where politicians are using the circumstance, their counterpart in Tamil Nadu attempt to brainwash the people to gain popularity. Since the issue is with the Supreme Court let the court decide the fate of the dam” Anbayan, a Tamil Nadu native said. While returning to Kerala checkpost, ‘Express’ team met a group of Sabrimala pilgrims returning to Tamil Nadu. They said they were safe in Kerala. “We had no safety issue in Kerala. Since no vehicles are allowed to cross the checkpost, we have to walk for about three kilometres. Tamil Nadu government is operating vehicles from there to carry stranded people to their native villages. There are rumours that the people from Tamil Nadu have been attacked in Kerala. We will take the message to our village that no violence is happening there,” Rajaswamy, a Madurai native said.