The Tamil Nadu government has clarified that it has not granted permission for the protest announced by farmers' organizations against Kerala's move to build a new dam at Mullaperiyar. The police have been directed to stop the march scheduled to be held on the Kerala border near Kumali on Monday.

The government stated that, in the current situation of the election code of conduct, no protest programmes can be allowed. The coordinator of the Periyar Vaigai Pasana Industry Association, S. Anwar Balasingam, informed that farmers from Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Madurai, Dindigul and Theni districts will participate in the protest programme on Monday. At Lower Camp in Theni, the farmers plan to march from the memorial of Mullaperiyar Dam architect John Pennycook to Kumali.

The Tamil Nadu industrial group headed by farmer leader P.R. Pandian has also announced plans to protest over the Mullaperiyar issue. Organisations in Tamil Nadu have been angered by Kerala's decision to complete the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for demolishing the existing dam and building a new one at Mullaperiyar within a month.