THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In Tamil Nadu, Keralites are having a difficult time. But the tension in the border areas over the Mulleperiyar issue has not affected the lives of hundreds of Tamilians who make a living in Kerala. They are a relieved lot, and believe that the turbulence is part of the political gimmicks meant to obtain electoral leverage.Muhammed Sidheek, a Tamilian from Kulachal who owns a wholesale outlet selling provisions at Kothuval Street, close to the Chalai market here, said that so far, the Tamil community has not faced any problem from the local population.Sidheek, who is also the secretary of the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi Kothuval unit, said that Kerala is his second home, as his wife hails from the state.‘‘Our relationship with the local population is based on respect and care. We are not being treated as aliens, but as their brethren,” he said.Sidheek has been living in Thiruvananthapuram for the last 18 years and swears over and again that he feels as if he is in Tamil Nadu. ‘‘In fact, we are tensed about the business prospects, not about a Malayali onslaught. Movement of goods lorries from Tamil Nadu has come down by half. This will affect the traders in Kothuval street, who are mostly Tamilians, and the union workers and retail sellers, who are exclusively local people,” he said with a grimace, reflecting the concerns of thousands of Tamilians in the state who have invested lakhs of rupees in their business. For them, a lull in sales means utter ruin and devastation. Irshad Ahammed from Vellore, a street seller of shoes at a vantage spot near Palayam, said the situation is fine and expects it to continue. ”Nothing will happen to our bond with the Keralites. The agitations have gone wayward and they are being now led astray by certain vested interests in Tamil Nadu, who were always like that,” he said. Selva Kumar, an office-bearer of the INTUC in the Chalai region, who has been dealing with innumerable Tamil traders and labourers, said that the emotional display by a few across the border will not affect the peaceful state of affairs prevailing in the state.City Police Commissioner Manoj Abraham is cent-per cent sure that the attacks on Tamil Nadu buses in Kerala are isolated incidents. ”Though we haven’t arrested the culprits, we assume that the actions were not organised ones. We are hopeful that the peaceful environment will continue,’’ he said.
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