Coimbatore: Lying low for nearly two years after the sensational abduction of
Kannada film star, Rajkumar, the elusive forest brigand, Veerappan reportedly
abducted a former Karnataka minister on August 25 night, despite strict vigilance by
the special task force (STF) in nearby areas.
This follows the July 2000 incident when the Kannada matinee idol Rajkumar and four
others, were kidnapped from Doddagajanur guesthouse on July 30. Negotiations through
were 'Nakkeran' editor Gopal and other leaders, like P Nedumaran seeking release of
the actor. The actor was released after 100 days.
Immediately after the release, STF and police personnel from three states
intensified search operations. Veerappan and his gang were reportedly spotted near
Chinnampathy forest area, bordering Kerala and in an exchange of fire, the gang
fled. Some bags with medicine and arms were recovered from the place.
Border Security Force (BSF), under District Inspector General (DIG), Vijay Kumar
(now Chennai police commissioner) was summoned to assist the STF in catching the
brigand. However, due to tension along the Indian border, the force was gradually
withdrawn.
STF was revamped under former District General of Police (DGP), W I Dawaram and
searches were intensified in forest areas of Erode, Salem, Nilgiris and Coimbatore
districts. Many gang members, accomplices and aides were arrested from various
places and huge amounts of cash recovered from them, during the operations.
However, the brigand is still elusive and the sojourn continues.
Following are the sequences of events, after Veerappan gained notoriety and
monopolised the forest areas in three states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and parts of
Kerala since 1987:
Jul 1987 : A Tamil Nadu (TN) forest officer Chidambaram was kidnapped and
lynched.
Jan 1989: Five members of rival gang were kidnapped and killed
Aug 1989: Three forest personnel of Begur forest range of Tamil Nadu
killed. Their mutilated bodies were recovered 19 days later.
Jan 1990: Veerappan gang, following gunning down of two of his members by
Tamil Nadu police, shot A sub-inspector and a head constable.
Apr 1990: In a first direct attack, Veerappan ambushed and slayed three
sub-inspectors and a constable, including Dinesh, an officer, who had been 'hot on
his trial'.
May 1990: Special task force was constituted to nab the poacher.
Nov 1990: Shot and beheaded a deputy conservator of forest R Srinivas.
Srinivas was blamed for the death of Mari. The head was traced three years later.
Feb 20 1992: Son of a granite quarry owner kidnapped in Karnataka and Rs
one crore ransom demanded. Quarry owner paid Rs 15 lakh as ransom.
May 20 1992: Swooped down on Ramapura police station, killing policemen and
takes away a cache of arms.
Jun 15 1992: STF kill four of Veerappan's gang in Nellur village. Veerappan
sent a note saying, "I will finish all of you".
Aug 14 1992: Veerappan trapped STF S P Harikrishna and 27 police personnel.
Bombed Harikrishna, Ahmed and four others.
Apr 1993: A bus carrying Tamil Nadu police personnel was blown up near
Palar in a landmine blast, killing 22 persons, including civilians. S P 'Rambo'
Gopalakrishna was hurt in the attack.
May 1993: Attacked Karnataka S P Gopal Hosur and party at Male Mahadeshwara
(MM) hills, killing six policemen.
Jul 1993: BSF began operations in the forest area, nabbed 19 members of the
gang.
Aug 1993: Series of encounters with BSF and Veerappan gang claimed lives of
18 gang members and three policemen. Few months later, Veerappan sent an audio
cassette, seeking amnesty.
Dec 1994: DSP, directorate of vigilance and anti-corruption
Chidambaranathan, and two companions kidnapped from Coimbatore after 27 days under
the cover of STF onslaught. Veerappan’s brother, Arjunan and two gang members
Ayyadurai and Rangaswamy, surrender.
Nov 1995: Three forest officials kidnapped in Anthiyur forest in Erode.
Ransom of Rs 5 crore sought. 20 days later, hostages set free after Rs 3.5 lakh was
paid unofficially.
Dec 1995: Veerappan attacks TN STF. Two personnel killed. The attack was
in retaliation for the death of Arjunan and Rangaswamy in STF custody.
Jan 1996 Attack on Tamil Nadu S P, Tamil Selvan and Party, killing a
constable and injuring the S P.
Apr 1997: After a lull of nearly one year, the bullet ridden body of his
heir apparent 'baby' Veerappan was discovered from the forest.
Jul 1997: Ten forest personnel kidnapped. One sent back with a surrender
offer on a cassette. On Aug 5, another hostage reached Chennai with the Tamil
magazine Nakkeeran editor R R Gopal. Others released later.
Dec 1998: Dec 21 Veerappan and gang attacked Vellituurpur police station in
TN, decamped with nine guns, ammunition. After this major operations, Veerappan,
with reduced strength of his supporters lay low and sought amnesty and held
negotiations with Tamil Nadu government.
Apr 28 1999: Another major attack - three forest officials were kidnapped
near Hogenekkal in TN's Dharmapuri District letters and audio cassette sent to the
district collector.
Jul 31 2000: Jul 31 abducts Kannada idol Rajkumar
Aug 25 2002: Kidnaps former Karnataka minister H Nagappa.
PTI
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