On July 22, Muhammad Niaz, a native of Ottapalam in Palakkad district, reached the Idukki Cheruthoni dam at 3.45 p.m. He took the visitor’s pass, entered the premises, and locked the high-mass lights and the earth wires in the high-security area. Niaz also poured an unknown liquid into several steel ropes that lifted the dam’s shutter.

Even Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), which manages the dam, learned about the incident only after a month and a half. A complaint was filed by the Dam Safety Executive Engineer at the Idukki Police Station on September 5. Idukki Police began the investigation under the leadership of Idukki Police DySP. Last week, the police DGP issued an order to hand over the security lapse at Idukki Dam to the Crime Branch.

Six policemen who were on security duty when Niaz entered the dam were suspended. Policemen Rajesh K, Binoj VA, Abdul Ghafoor, Surendran PR, Ajesh KG, and Manu O of Idukki AR camp were suspended. Visitors are allowed entry only after they pass through metal detectors. However, an investigation conducted by the Additional SP found that the accused entered without any checks.

Meanwhile, Niaz, who had trespassed in the dam and allegedly attempted arson, had gone abroad. The accused is a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) living in a gulf country. The administration claimed efforts are underway to bring the suspect. If Niaz is unwilling to come voluntarily, the police claim they decided to look for other ways. The accused remains free on some foreign soil.

During the police investigation, it was found that the Ottapalam resident, who had come from abroad, had visited various places for ten days. Police also collected CCTV footage from several locations. It was found that Niaz bought several locks in Cheruthoni.

Suspicions are high, including terrorist links. Last week, a meeting was held under the District Collector’s chairmanship to assess the dams’ safety in Idukki. The meeting also discussed the shortcomings of the existing checks on the barrier.

In mid-September, the Ernakulam Range police DIG Putta Vimaladitya personally visited and assessed the security. An inspection was conducted under the direction of the DIG regarding the security arrangements. He informed the media that security had been increased at Cheruthoni Dam. Idukki SP V.U Kuriakose also said that a special team has been appointed to investigate the incident.

The exact intent can be understood only if Niaz is brought to Kerala and interrogated. Police claimed a lookout notice will also be issued for this soon. A meeting of officials from various departments, including the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), was held to discuss more security measures at the dam.

A decision was taken in the meeting to install more surveillance cameras (CCTV cameras) in the dam area and to ensure the efficiency of fencing in the dam area. It was also decided to install notice boards at the dam to educate tourists.

The Islamist’s arson attempt led authorities to ban walking along the Idukki Dam for all visitors. Entry is allowed in buggy cars only. After the body check, the travelers are loaded into buggies and cannot carry any items, including drinking water. Six more buggy solar vehicles with 14 seats each will be delivered soon for tourists. Officials say that the tender process has been completed.

Several questions about dam safety in Kerala remain mysterious. There is a widespread complaint that the investigation has not reached anywhere even after all these months. However, the authorities are not yet ready to issue a lookout notice for the accused, who is said to have gone abroad. His relatives claimed that Niaz had mental problems.