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Tamil Nadu STF resumes drive to nab Veerappan

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi announced on Monday the resumption of Special Task Force operations to nab forest brigand Veerappan.

The operations had been suspended following the abduction of Kannada film star Rajakumar by the bandit on July 30.

Karunanidhi told reporters in Madras after a meeting with top police officers that the STF was being strengthened with the induction of a deputy inspector general, three more superintendents of police and additional personnel.

He said STF special camps in the forest areas would be increased and the personnel would be given modern weapons to counter Veerappan and his associates.

The STF, headed by Inspector General of Police K Balachandran, would function in perfect co-ordination with its Karnataka counterpart, he said, adding that Tamil Nadu would not take any unilateral action.

He said Tamil Nadu would, if necessary, seek help from the Centre, including the army's assistance, to nab Veerappan.

He said the STF had been told to go ahead with its operations without harassing the tribals living in the forests. He said the STF had committed atrocities during the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's rule.

On the statement issued by Veerappan and his associate Maran that they would work for the creation of a 'Tamil Desam', Karunanidhi said the government would not allow any militancy or terrorism. "We will not allow even a semblance of violence in the state," he asserted.

He parried a question on Tamil National Movement leader P Nedumaran's statement that STF operations should not be resumed.

He also rejected the opposition's demand for a white paper on Rajakumar's abduction, on the plea that many things had already appeared in the press.

Asked whether the state had decided to resume STF operations because of the 'negative impact' created by Rajakumar's abduction, he said, "We are governed by our conscience."

He denied that the state government had been soft on Veerappan.

On the release of Tamil-speaking TADA [Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act] detainees in Karnataka prisons, he said he respected the Supreme Court's verdict, which had effectively prevented their release.

Earlier, Karunanidhi held discussions with Chief Secretary A P Muthusamy, Home Secretary Shanta Sheela Nair, Director General of Police R Rajagopalan, Additional DGP C Alexendar, former STF chief and Madras Police Commissioner P Kalimuthu and Inspector General (Intelligence) K Ramanujam.

DIG Tamizhselvan and SPs Periyaiah, Asokh Kumar Dass and Shylendra Babu SPs have been deputed to the STF. They will hold additional charge.

PTI

The Rajakumar Abduction: complete coverage
The saga of Veerappan

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