Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 6 (PTI) Hitting back at Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, his Kerala counterpart V S Achuthanandan today questioned the purpose of former's demand for deployment of Central Industrial Security Force personnel to guard the contentious Mullaperiyar Dam.

"Can CISF jawans prevent the flow of water from the dam?", Achuthanandan asked, reacting to Karunanidhi's demand for deployment of CISF personnel at the reservoir site.

Talking to media after a cabinet meeting, Achuthanandan said the dharna by local people in Idukki district, where the dam is situated, demanding an alternative dam, has crossed 1000 days. About 40 lakh people in five districts would be affected in case the dam collapses, he said.

He said the reservoir was one of the oldest structures in the country and the seismic study had shown that the dam was not able to sustain earthquake and flood.