The Hindu : Provide information for nabbing Veerappan, STF tells villagers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 25, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Provide information for nabbing Veerappan, STF tells villagers

By Our Staff Reporter

Dharmapuri Feb. 24. Early nabbing of the forest brigand, Veerappan, depended largely on vital information, which villagers living in the nearby area could provide, the STF, ADGP, R. Natarajan, said.

Addressing a public relations programme, organised jointly by the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka STFs at Ootamalai near Hogenakkal on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border here yesterday, he said operations had been intensified in five Tamil Nadu and four Karnataka districts. If the villagers provided necessary information, a pinpointed search could be taken up. The Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Governments announced a Rs.5.5-crore prize money to anyone who provided information leading to the arrest of Veerappan.

He cited the Uthangkarai incident as an example of public support leading to the arrest of 27 naxalites. Mr. Natarajan told the villagers that Veerappan had killed as many as 124 persons, which included not only police and forest personnel, but also innocent villagers. But at no point of time had he helped the poor. Only those who provided him with food and water were provided with Rs.100- 200 in cash. Villagers providing information would be protected, he said. The Karnataka STF IG, Jothi Prakash Mirji, said Veerappan was left with just two persons — Sethukulli Govindan and Chandra Gowda — and his health was failing. But information on Veerappan came two or three days late, which allowed the bandit to gain a lead of 50-60 km.

The villagers said Veerappan was a menace and that they were eager to help the STF.

They complained that boating and fishing activity remained curtailed ever since the search for the bandit commenced.

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