The Hindu : Special Central forces sought to nab Veerappan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 28, 2002

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Special Central forces sought to nab Veerappan

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI AUG. 27. Karnataka and Tamil Nadu today urged the Central Government to provide para-military forces trained in jungle operations to supplement the efforts of their Special Task Forces to track down the forest brigand, Veerappan, whose latest abduction — of a former Karnataka Minister — has once again brought his unlawful activities into focus.

The two State Governments have also sought "technical intelligence support" such as surveillance aircraft, interception equipment, helicopters and remote-sensing equipment. Tamil Nadu has suggested that the Union Government nominate a coordinator to ensure timely availability of the above equipment.

An agreement to this effect was reached at a meeting the Karnataka Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna, had with his Tamil Nadu counterpart Jayalalithaa here this evening at Tamil Nadu House, ahead of the Cauvery River Authority meeting convened by the Prime Minister.

Mr. Krishna told correspondents later that both the State Governments would send a joint request seeking Central assistance to the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, and the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani.

The Deputy Prime Minister, who was in Bangalore today, was "already seized of the matter," he said.

Describing his meeting with the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister as "very cordial', Mr. Krishna said they had discussed a general strategy on tackling the Veerappan menace. While refusing to elaborate, he asserted that the strategy was aimed at "pursuing our objective".

The Tamil Nadu Government, in a press release, said that during the meeting Mr. Krishna had narrated the circumstances in which the abduction of the ex-Minister, H. Nagappa, took place on August 25, and its fall-out. Ms. Jayalalithaa explained the various steps taken by her Government to nab Veerappan. Mr. Krishna had concurred with her suggestions.

The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister assured Mr. Krishna that her Government would extend full cooperation to Karnataka to "find a quick end to the kidnapping episode and also to nab Veerappan at the earliest''.

Both the Chief Ministers agreed that there should be greater coordination between the STFs of the two States at the field level.

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