The Hindu : 100 days of captivity for Nagappa

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 02, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

100 days of captivity for Nagappa

By S.K. Ramoo

BANGALORE DEC. 1. The former Karnataka Minister, Nagappa, continues to languish in the forest and will be completing 100 days in the custody of the brigand, Veerappan, tomorrow. The Kannada actor, Rajkumar, was under Veerappan's detention in the forest for 108 days. The deadline set by Veerappan for sending Kolathur Mani to negotiate with him for releasing Mr. Nagappa expired on Saturday.

The popular perception is that the Karnataka Government is "imprudently'' seeking to remove all legal hurdles for getting bail for Kolathur Mani — a Tamil extremist facing criminal charges in both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu — for negotiating with Veerappan. It is perceived to have bowed to the tremendous pressure exerted mostly by the Lingayat math heads and the Opposition leaders in this regard.

According to dispassionate observers, the abduction of Nagappa, who belongs to the politically-dominant Lingayat community, is sadly "communalised'' as Lingayat organisations, including its math heads, have pressured the Government to send Kolathur Mani as demanded by Veerappan for talks. Several legal experts have hailed the firm stand adopted by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, who has made it clear that her Government would not negotiate with Veerappan.

The Tamil Nadu Government has also said that it would arrest Mani, if he enters that State. Its only concession is that it has suspended its STF operations for apprehending the brigand and his associates. Karnataka suspended its STF operations in response to the requests made by Nagappa's family. This has enabled Veerappan and his armed gang to move about freely in the forests.

Mani is seen to be taking undue advantage of the "helpless'' position of the Karnataka Government as it has reportedly insisted that he would consider going to the forest if the Government withdraws all criminal charges against him. This is said to be "legally untenable'' and is likely to incur the displeasure of the Supreme Court.

There is a growing perception in the State legal fraternity that Mani once sent to the forest to negotiate with Veerappan may not eventually return to face criminal charges in both the States. It is doubtful if he will fulfil the conditions imposed by the Karnataka High Court for securing the bail.

According to top police officers in the State, Veerappan had hatched a "deep-rooted conspiracy" for obtaining bail for Mani by abducting Mr. Nagappa. This argument cannot easily be brushed aside as a figment of imagination.

In an interesting development, a Lingayat Swami from Basavakalayan, incurring the displeasure of other Lingyat math heads, has threatened to approach the Supreme Court for staying the High Court bail granted to Mani. In his view, the Karnataka Government is setting a "bad precedent" by facilitating bail for a person facing grave criminal charges and said that this "unholy compromise'' would harm the State's interests in the long-run.

The former Director-General of Police, Dinakar's sensational disclosures of money having been paid to Veerappan in his highly controversial book, has "rattled '' the Karnataka Government.

The Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna, has not disowned the allegation made by Mr. Dinakar on the payment of Rs. 20 crores ransom money to Veerappan in return for freeing Rajkumar. Instead, he has merely questioned the "judgment and discretion" of Mr. Dinakar in divulging the events that transpired, ultimately leading to Rajkumar's release.

It is likely that Mr. Dinakar may further embarrass the Government, if it decides to file a defamation suit against him. His book has generated a "mixed reaction," some vehemently condemning him, while others lauding him for his "courage of conviction."

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

Southern States

Stories in this Section

`Misconceptions stalling AIDS prevention'

`States urged to cut taxes on processed fruits'

100 days of captivity for Nagappa

`Water-sufficient States can help interlinking'

Make AIDS awareness must in schools: Expert

Avoid `illegal' steps to free Nagappa: BJP

Govt. misled House on kidnap: Yediyurappa