Chennai: Even as the mandatory RDO inquest into the circumstances that led to the gunning down of forest brigand Veerappan on October 18 began today (Oct 25, 2004) several Human Rights activists of various organisations have started an independent investigation into the killing.

Official sources said that because of the sensitive nature of the case, a "reasonable time" had been given to the RDO to finish his inquest.

The sources said, "The inquest has started today and those having information on the incident are free to appear and depose before the officer."

The RDO enquiry had been ordered on October 19 itself, immediately after the official report on the killing of Veerappan and his three associates was made available to the district administration, the sources said.

The sources said that Tamil Nadu Special Task Force and Muthulakshmi, the widow of the slain forest brigand, would also be summoned to depose.

"A reasonable time has been given, so that we have a comprehensive report, covering all aspects," the sources said.

Meanwhile, Additional Director General of Police and STF Chief (Tamil Nadu), K Vijay Kumar, who was at Papparapatti when the STF shot down the much sought-after outlaw, asserted hat the brigand had been shot dead by the STF personnel. "I maintain whatever I have said," he said.

The STF Chief also denied reports, which suggested that the outlaw had committed suicide.

The reports had not affected the morale of the STF of both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in any way, he told reporters from a STF base camp at Bannari in Erode district.

Asked whether the STF was now hunting for 'treasure' reportedly stored by the brigand in the forest, Vijay Kumar said that the STF was not involved in any such operations.

Asked about reports, which said that some diaries, purportedly maintained by Veerappan, had been seized by the police, Vijay Kumar denied any knowledge of it.

In a related development, a 19-member group of civil rights activists belonging to several organisations, including the Centre for the Protection of Civil Liberties, People's Democratic Front, Andhra Pradesh Civil Liberties and PUCL (People's Union for Civil Liberties) also began an independent enquiry into the killing, PUCL sources said.

The group today visited the spot at Papparapatti, where Veerappan and his men were killed, as a first step of the enquiry and are due to meet some others, including Muthulakshmi.

Meanwhile, police removed posters, condemning the killing of Veerappan, from parts of Villupuram district.