Bangalore: Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna declared that the government was
determined to end the menace of forest brigand Veerappan, as the state Legislature
session began on December 23, paying homage to Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader H
Nagappa, who was killed in the bandit's custody, and others.
"We have to see the end of Veerappan who has been a menace for the last several
years," Krishna said while paying homage to Nagappa whose "savage killing", he said,
had caused an "irreparable loss" in the minds of the people.
Speaking on the condolence resolution moved by Speaker M V Venkatappa, he said, "We
have to move boldly in coming days to see the end of Veerappan." The House would
discuss the Nagappa issue for two days from December 24 and the members were free to
debate it, he said.
Nagappa's son Preethan and son-in-law Kiran Patel watched from public gallery the
tributes paid by the House to the memory of the JD-U leader.
Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jagadish Shettar said the killing of
Nagappa could have been averted had the government taken timely steps and Veerappan
must be caught if Nagappa's soul were to rest in peace. Echoing similar feelings, JD-
U leader P G R Sindhia said Veerappan must be brought to book.
The House also paid homage to the victims of the Kacheguda-Bangalore train, which
derailed in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district, claiming 20 lives and observed a
minute's silence.
The state Legislative Council also condoled the death of Nagappa and eminent jurist
Nani Palkhivala, among others. Later, both the Houses adjourned for December 24.
PTI
