An STF success

THE CAPTURE OF Veerappan's aide, the Tamil Nadu Liberation Army (TNLA) chief, Maran, is an extremely significant development for more than one reason. Maran was a key member of Veerappan's gang, took active part in the kidnap of the filmstar, Mr. Rajkumar, and played a critical role in trying to project Veerappan as not the killer and serial abductor that he is but as a latter-day Robin Hood and a Tamil nationalist. Maran's capture by the Special Task Force (STF) will go a long way towards breaking the unholy and dangerous nexus between Veerappan and the Tamil extremists he has begun to depend on for support. Over the past couple of years, these elements have been Veerappan's mainstay, providing him with armaments at one level and canvassing Tamil chauvinist opinion in his favour at another. The TNLA chief of course has a criminal record that pre- dates his association with Veerappan and is accused, along with others in his organisation, of being involved in many violent crimes over the past few years. Originally a grouping which espoused a brand of left extremism, the TNLA has traded in its marxism to peddle a noxious brand of Tamil sub- nationalism, reflected in its naked support for the LTTE and its advocacy of a greater Tamil Nadu which includes a good part of south India and a generous slice of Sri Lanka.

At another plane, the capture of Maran strengthens the early signals that this time around the hunt for Veerappan is being conducted with far more earnestness. Over the past few years, the STF's operations were marked by bewildering disinterest and relative inactivity, leading to public suspicion whether it was serious about capturing Veerappan at all. It would now seem that the Rajkumar kidnap episode has goaded the Governments of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka into not only beefing up the STF but also stepping up its operations to catch the brigand. It was only recently that the STF's intelligence wing had a close encounter with Veerappan and his gang in the forests of Kerala adjoining the Tamil Nadu border. Although hopes that the STF had encircled and trapped the gang were belied, there is little doubt now that the area in which it is currently operating has been identified. The STF appears confident now of finishing the task it was mandated to perform and has raised hopes of an early capture. Such expressions of optimism have been heard before and it would not be surprising if the public views this with a measure of scepticism. However, recent developments - culminating in the arrest of Maran - provide reason for remaining hopeful that the end is near.

It was only earlier this month that the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, revealed that the State Government had written to the Centre urging that it proscribe the TNLA and the TNRT (another like-minded group which was suspected of playing a role in the assassination of the former Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi). Although it is arguable that this should have been done much earlier, the banning of these groups was essential to firmly signal that the State will not tolerate groups which commit violence and spread destructiveness in the name of a misplaced sub-nationalism. The all-too-evident flush of triumph at having ensnared Maran is understandable, but the STF should remember that it has much more to do and ensure that the momentum of the chase is not lost. Given that the TNLA leader was a key member of the gang, there is little about Veerappan - from the strength of his gang to the number of his firearms to the location of his hideouts - that Maran will be unaware about. The imperative now is to use this information to pursue the main quarry - Veerappan himself.

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