The Hindu : Go after Veerappan but rescue Nagappa, says Karunanidhi

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 30, 2002

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National

Go after Veerappan but rescue Nagappa, says Karunanidhi

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI Aug.29. There should be no let up in operations against the forest brigand Veerappan, but it is also important to rescue alive the former Karnataka Minister, Nagappa, who has been kidnapped by Veerappan, the DMK President, M.Karunanidhi, said today.

Addressing mediapersons at the party headquarters here ,Mr.Karunanidhi also made light of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms.Jayalalithaa's statement in Delhi refusing to send any emissary to rescue Mr Nagappa. The issue should not be politicised now, he said.

In a press statement, Mr.Karunanidhi joined issue with Ms. Jayalalithaa for her remarks against his erstwhile government's alleged lack of action against Veerappan.

``She has stated that when I was Chief Minister, I refused to take up the former DGP, Mr.W.I.Davaram's offer to hunt down Veerappan.

Now she has re-appointed Mr.Davaram after retirement as head of the STF only to nab Veerappan. Now after 15 months, I would not ask why he has failed, because I know how difficult the operations are,'' Mr.Karunanidhi said.

During Ms. Jayalalithaa's earlier tenure as Chief Minister, when a Deputy Superintendent of Police and two others were kidnapped by Veerappan, the latter had wanted the withdrawal of the STF and the release of his brother Mathiayan.

On December 4 and 6, 1994, the Coimbatore district Collector had highlighted the importance of getting the hostages back alive and even stopped operations. An emissary from Veerappan was allowed to meet the Collector.

Quoting records, Mr Karunanidhi said the then Chief Secretary, N. Haribhaskar, had also reiterated the need for a careful handling of the situation, which involved precious human lives.

``Ms. Jayalalithaa was Chief Minister then, as also now. I do not understand why the Government is refusing to accept any conditions or send emissaries,'' he added.

During Ms. Jayalalithaa's previous tenure, Veerappan killed 63 persons within Tamil Nadu, while after 1996 when the DMK came to power only three persons died in five years. She had not denied this piece of statistics.

On her repeated assertion that anti Veerappan operations were stopped during the DMK regime, Mr.Karunanidhi said that between 1991 and 1996, a total of 121 persons were arrested while during his stewardship of the State from 1996, 135 gang members were nabbed.

This itself would refute the allegation.

Ms.Jayalalithaa should be answering questions about why Veerappan had not been arrested, instead of merely blaming the DMK for diverting attention.

``We can feel happy or laud both the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Governments if Mr. Nagappa was rescued alive or the gangster was caught,'' Mr Karunanidhi said.

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