The Hindu : End Veerappan saga

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Sep 09, 2002

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

End Veerappan saga

Sir, — The forest brigand, Veerappan's exploits have been many and baffling. A historian will be required to compile how this one-time ordinary poacher grew to become a dreaded brigand challenging the might of two Governments for nearly 15 years. How he manages to live in the forests and move about eluding the Special Task Force, numbering thousands and equipped with sophisticated weapons and communication facilities, and strike at will is a mystery.

As one retired from the Indian Forest Service, I feel that the Forest Department would have apprehended Veerappan had there been backing for it. One wonders why the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Governments are reluctant to hand over the job to the Army and withdraw the STF. Surely the army, just a company with jawans trained in jungle warfare, should be able to flush out Veerappan.

Y.S. Kadakshamani,
Madurai

* * *

Sir, — Veerappan is at it yet again. Look at the ease with which the forest bandit — smuggler, brigand, murderer and extortionist all rolled into one — has been operating for years without being apprehended. Is this not a pathetic failure on the part of the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Governments, past and present? Pray, whatever has happened to the police forces? Where on earth are our proverbial crack cops, sleuths, snipers, et al? And their batons, guns and high temper? Or, are these reserved for small-time pilferers and petty offenders?

S.C. Kapoor,
Noida, U.P.

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