SETC services resume, ply up to Kumili checkpost

THENI: Bus services from Tamil Nadu resumed to border areas on Monday as police force from both states assured to provide protection. As a first step aimed at restoring normalcy around 50 trips were reportedly operated up to Kumili check post and other border areas by SETC - Dindigul Division IV on Monday.District collectors and Superintendents of Police of both Theni and Idukki districts met near Kumili and discussed various steps to resume bus service which were suspended owing to tension sparked by the row over Mullaiperiyar dam.As a first step towards restoring normalcy, the SETC operated its services up to TN border. “The SETC buses plied up to Kumili check post,” said K S Palanisamy, Theni Collector.Theni Superintendent of Police Praveen Kumar Abinapu said that police personnel have been deployed at strategic locations to help public in case of any emergency. “Kerala police have also assured to provide protection to those travelling to Kerala,” the SP informed.Since Dec 5, vehicle movements through the three main roads - Kumili, Cumbum Mettu and Bodi Mettu - to Kerala were disrupted due to angry protests over the dam issue. Though vehicular traffic resumed on December 25 with police protection, advocates staged various protests and blocked traffic raising safety concerns of Tamils travelling to Kerala.