Bandit King becomes Tamil militant, puts community over self

CHENNAI, AUGUST 6: If the Bandit Queen can, why can't the Bandit King? Poacher Veerappan positioned himself as a Tamil politician of the f...

CHENNAI, AUGUST 6: If the Bandit Queen can, why can’t the Bandit King? Poacher Veerappan positioned himself as a Tamil politician of the future when he sent a list of demands — all for the Tamil people and nothing for himself.

The demands begin with a permanent solution to the Cauvery water dispute, move on to making Tamil the administrative language of Karnataka, unveiling the disputed Tiruvalluvar statue in Bangalore and end with a daily wage of Rs 150 for Manjolai Estate workers in Tirunelveli.

Distributing copies of Veerappan’s demands and the two State Governments’ response to mediapersons here today, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said, “We have responded to his demands in a way that would be acceptable to Veerappan.” He said that Government emissary and Nakkeeran editor R. Gopal had met the brigand in the forest this morning and added that Rajkumar was well.

Karnataka Chief Mininster S.M. Krishna who flew down from Bangalore this morning with Union Youth and Cultural Affairs Minister Ananthkumar said: “We are optimistic about the release of Rajkumar.”

Karunanidhi hoped that Gopal would return with the good news that Rajkumar had been released. “I hope Veerappan who has made demands for the welfare of Tamils in Karnataka, does not indulge in any activity detrimental to the interests of Tamils. I hope he releases Rajkumar and earns the goodwill of the people.

Asked whether Veerappan had links with Tamil National Liberation Army (TNLA) since all the demands related to Tamils’ welfare, Karunanidhi said: “Veerappan may have links with TNLA or may himself have turned into a Tamil militant.” However, he said there were no confirmed reports that the persons who were with him were Tamil Nationalist extremists.

Karunanidhi said the governments’ response may reach Veerappan through a friend of Gopal. Since Veerappan was in the habit of tuning into the radio, he will learn of the response, he said. Karunanidhi said Veerappan has not demanded general amnesty or Rs 50 crore for the release.

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When asked if he had placed a demand for the release of Cauvery water on the occassion, Karunanidhi replied, “I know decency. This is not the time to talk about it.”

Veerappan’s cause has already been taken up by mainstream Tamil political parties. Karunanidhi’s NDA colleague, PMK leader Dr S Ramadoss’s had said that general amnesty should be given to Veerappan. Ramadoss is the unshakable leader of Vanniyas, Veerappan is also a Vanniya (the community is called as Padayatchi Goundars in some areas). Pudhiya Thamizhagam president Dr Krishnasamy too has supported the amnesty plan.

VEERAPPAN’S DEMANDS
*Permanent solution to Cauvery Water issue.
*Compensation to all the Tamil victims of 1991 Cauvery riots.
*Karnataka should accept Tamil as an administrative language.
*Karnataka should take immediate steps to unveil a statue of poet Thiruvalluvar in Bangalore.
*Karnataka should take immediate action to vacate the HC stay order on Justice Sadashiva Commission appointed to go into the atrocities allegedly committed by the task force of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
*Innocent persons languishing in Karnataka jails should be released.
*Compensation for families of nine SC/STs killed.
* Minimum procurement price of green tea leaves should be increased.
*Five persons who are now in Tamil Nadu prisons should be released.
*Minimum wages for plantation workers in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka should be fixed at Rs 150 per day.