'All help to nab Veerappan'

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, NOV. 30. With the Opposition criticising the delay in launching operations against Veerappan, the Centre today assured it would provide all assistance to the Governments of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in their bid to nab him.

The reference to Veerappan, the handling of the Rajkumar kidnapping case and the links of some persons associated with the release operation with the LTTE overshadowed the calling- attention motion discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the LTTE activities in the country.

Replying to the discussion, the Union Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, said the Government had expressed willingness to extend all help from the Ministries of Home and Defence to deal with the menace. The Centre had no reservations on any demand, including by Karnataka, for NSG commando action for the task.

He said the States have been asked to launch a coordinated exercise to arrest Veerappan. The Centre was concerned since the kidnapping episode had affected the image of the whole country and agreed with members that it was not just a law and order problem. Responding to charges of Centre's inactivity, Mr. Advani said during the entire duration when Mr. Rajkumar was held hostage, neither Karnataka or Tamil Nadu sought Central intervention.

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