Veerappan: previous Govts. blamed for inaction

By Our Special Correspondent

HUBLI, OCT. 2. Mr. Siddaramaiah, former Deputy Chief Minister, admitted here on Sunday that the previous State governments had failed in taking effective measures against the forest brigand, Veerappan.

Mr. Siddaramaiah, who was replying to questions by presspersons, said that the blame had to be shared by all those who were in power, including his own party.

He charged the Krishna Government with failure to take precautionary measures even after the threat perception (to Mr. Rajkumar) had become clear. "We do not want to talk about the failures at this moment," he said and added that his party was loathe to take "political advantage" of the situation.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said that his party had suggested that the alternative plan of dealing with Veerappan should be given effect to by the Government. The Government should find an alternative to Mr. Gopal for negotiating with Veerappan and one of the advocates representing the TADA detenus could be sent.

Mr. Siddaramaiah was not sure whether the time had come to take "strong action" against the brigand. "We cannot say anything as the issue is delicate." But it would be better for the two State Governments to discuss it over with the Union Government, he said.

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Section  : Southern States
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