Cuddalore (TN): Prabha, the 12-year old daughter of forest brigand Veerappan, is welcome back to pursue her studies at St. Joseph's Matriculation Higher Secondary School, the school Principal Sister Epiphany said in Cuddalore today (Oct 21, 2004).

"The seventh standard student left the school with permission to attend her father's funeral. She is welcome back to pursue the studies," the Principal said, adding the institution would render all possible help in her studies.

"The management is aware that Prabha was in no way connected with the actions of her father and the institution would not take any punitive action against her," she said.

So far the question of issuing transfer certificate (TC) to Prabha had not arisen at all, the principal said and denied reports that the school had decided to remove her from the school.

"The management was ready to help the girl to reside in the hostel and continue her studies like any other student," she said.

The school would issue transfer certificate only when they receive a request to that effect by the girls' mother in writing, she said.

Prabha, the second daughter of Veerappan, was admitted to the school in 2002 by a Chennai-based advocate and her mother Muthulakshmi.

Meanwhile, reports from Delhi indicate that the National Commission for Women has taken serious note of reports of Veerappan's daughters being thrown out of school and has asked the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa to ensure that the education of both the daughters of the brigand is not interfered with.

NCW Chairperson Poornima Advani, in a letter to the Chief Minister, asked that the police and education authorities be directed that "the education of Veerappan's two daughters should not be interfered with because of the misdeeds of their dead father."

The letter comes in suo-motu cognisance of reports that the St. Joseph Matriculation Higher Secondary School at Cuddalore, where Veerappan's 12-year-old daughter Prabha studies, has decided to issue her a transfer certificate.

Advani also called upon the media to desist from focussing on the family of Veerappan, particularly his daughters.

"Unwelcome publicity could harm the future of the innocent children," she said.