'Centre will help nab Veerappan'

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JUNE 6. The Centre has assured the Tamil Nadu Government of all assistance to nab the forest brigand and sandalwood smuggler, Veerappan, who has been evading arrest.

Talking to presspersons after meeting the Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalitha said ``I did raise the issue of Veerappan and the Home Minister has assured me of all assistance to nab him as soon as I come up with a definite plan.''

She said her Government was revamping the Special Task Force, after completing which, Ms. Jayalalitha would hold discussions with the Karnataka Government on undertaking joint operations. She would then explain the plan to Mr. Advani.

Ms. Jayalalitha had sought an All-India ban on communal and extremist outfits such as the Al-Umma and the All- India Jihad Committee (which had already been banned in the State), so that their activists did not migrate to other States, besides banning of the Tamil Nadu Liberation Army and the Tamil Nadu National Retrieval Troops. Mr. Advani had agreed to look into her request.

According to an official release, Ms. Jayalalitha handed over a letter to Mr. Advani, containing requests pertaining to some important issues pending the Centre's clearance. She also urged the Centre to indicate the provision under the scheme of modernising and strengthening the police force in the current year.

Ms. Jayalalitha requested a larger allotment for the scheme this year, in view of the State's requirements to tackle its special problems on account of militant and communal activities, besides normal law and order issues. The Home Minister had agreed to consider this request favourably.

Earlier, Ms. Jayalalitha called on the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Mr. K. C. Pant, and took up with him the question of outlay for the State's annual plan for 2001-2002. She impressed upon him the need to have a realistic outlay in view of her Government's priorities, especially in the social sector, pertaining to women and child welfare, upliftment of the SC/ST and the backward classes.

Ms. Jayalalitha requested Mr. Pant to support the State Government's request for increasing allocation for additional market borrowings to the extent of Rs. 500 crores to make up for the reduction in the Central fund devolution this year, as a result of the 11th Finance Commission's recommendations. She also reportedly impressed on him the need for assistance for developmental projects in Udhagamandalam.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Front Page
Previous : Deceptive calm in Nepal
Next     : PDS foodgrains to cost less