The Hindu : Army won't be effective in jungle terrain: CM

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Aug 27, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Army won't be effective in jungle terrain: CM

By Our Tamil Nadu Bureau

CHENNAI Aug. 26 . The Army will not be efficient in jungle terrain in the efforts at nabbing the forest brigand, Veerappan, the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, said today.

Talking to reporters here, she said the Border Security Force had also not been of use in the operations. In any case, it was the Centre which withdrew the BSF, Ms. Jayalalithaa pointed out.

The Director-General of Police, B.P. Nailwal, said the Special Task Force personnel had entered the forest immediately on receipt of information of the kidnapping last night of the former Karnataka Minister, H. Nagappa, from his house in the Hanur police station limits in Kollegal taluk. Although the kidnapping was a ``setback'', it had not dampened the STF efforts. ``We are after him.''

The strength of the STF had not been decreased at the operational level, the DGP said.

At Sathyamangalam, the commandant of the joint STF, W.I. Dawaram, expressed the hope that the force would nab Veerappan. Tribal people were rendering full cooperation to the STF. The revamped STF was conducting operations properly and sincerely, he said.

Meanwhile since 11 last night, armed STF personnel have been posted at the checkposts and vehicle checks made at Thalawady, Hassanure, Thimbam, Bannari, Kadambur, Kemmanaickken Palayam, Anthiyur, Vellitiruppur and Ammapet in the Erode district by the STF and the local police.

Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation services to Karnataka have been suspended and all buses are plying upto Sathyamangalam, Anthiyur. Lorries were allowed in convoy on the ghat road to Karnataka. Cars and vans with Tamil Nadu registration were asked to operate from dawn to dusk in forest areas.

Bus set ablaze

A bus from the Salem division of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation was set on fire at Kamakkaranur, Kollegal, near Mysore at midnight last night.

TNSTC sources told The Hindu that the bus, which left Mysore at 9.30 p.m. was coming towards Salem, when a group detained it and asked the passengers to get down.

Later, the agitated persons set the bus on fire, raising slogans that the abducted former Minister should be released and the brigand brought to book.

The bus crew took asylum in the Annur police station and informed the authorities in Salem.

But, the transport officials could not proceed beyond M.M.Hills in a surcharged atmosphere.

The officials said a hartal-like situation prevailed there.

The entire route from Kolathur to Mysore wore a deserted look, with palpable tension all over.

The officials said at least 60 buses, plying to Bangalore and Karnataka, were being terminated either at Kolathur (bound for Mysore) or at Hosur (bound for Bangalore).

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States