Date:09/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/09/stories/2009010950830400.htm

Karnataka

Two Veerappan’s aides arrested

Correspondent

CHAMARAJANAGAR: The Chamarajanagar district police have arrested Eranna and Basava, associates of brigand Veerappan at Devaramalai of Bhavani taluk of Erode district in Tamil Nadu in the early hours of Thursday in connection with 1993 Palar bomb blast case and 1992 Meenyam attack cases.

Acting on a tip-off, a police team led by Superintendent of Police K.V. Sridhar raided their houses. The Chamarajanagar District and Sessions Court has issued non-bailable warrants against 38 accused on November 6, 2008. So far, the police have arrested Veerappan’s wife, Muthulakshmi, and five others, including Eranna and Basava.

The accused were produced before the District and Sessions and TADA court where Judge Rajashekaraiah remanded hem in judicial custody till January 12.

Veerappan and his gang members killed Superintendent of Police Harikrishna, Sub-inspector Shakeel Ahmed and three police constables at Ramapura-Meenyam road cross in August 1992.

In the Palar blast case in April 1993, Veerappan and his gang members killed 22 police personnel, including two forest watchers, by triggering landmines at Sorekai Maduvu near Palar in M.M. Hills police limits.