Veerappan positions himself as a Tamil leader

Karunanidhi said: "Let us hope that Veerappan will send a good reply soon and release Dr Rajkumar."

The fugitive has foxed both governments with his demands, none of which pertain to him personally and do not include either amnesty or ransom as widely speculated.

The brigand has sought the implementation of the Cauvery Tribunal’s interim award for release of water to Tamil Nadu, fair compensation for victims of the Cauvery riots’ of 1991 and acceptance of Tamil as an additional administrative language in Karnataka.

He also wants the Karnataka governments to take steps to vacate a High Court stay on the functioning of the Justice Sadashiva Commission probing the STF’s atrocities, payment of compensation to victims and prosecution of police officers found guilty by the Commission.

The brigand also wants innocent persons languishing in Karnataka jails to be released, compensation paid to families of nine murdered SC/ST persons and release of five persons in Tamil Nadu prisons. (The names of these nine victims and five prisoners presumably figure in the audio cassette sent by Veerappan, but the government did not release them).

The outlaw also wanted a hike in the procurement price of green tea leaves to solve the present tea industry crisis and a solution to the problems of workers in Manjolai Tea Estate, a private plantation in Tirunelveli.

The two Chief Ministers deliberated for over two and a half hours before formulating their responses to the brigand’s demand. In the course of the parleys, word was sent out to the media that Gopal had made contact with Veerappan.

In response to his demands, the governments explained the action taken in respect of the Cauvery water dispute and the compensation claims made by victims of Special Task Force operations and anti-Tamil riots in 1991 in Karnataka.

The Chief Ministers have also agreed that a statue of Tamil saint-poet Thiruvalluvar would be installed in Bangalore as demanded by Veerappan.

In a mutual gesture, a statue of Kannada poet Sarvajna will also be put up in Chennai. Both Chief Ministers will participate in the unveiling functions.

Demand No. 1:

In regard to Cauvery river water issue, a permanentsolution should be found based on Justice. Before this, the interim order of the Cauvery tribunal set up by V P Singh should be implemented and 205 tmc of water released to Tamil Nadu immediately. There should not be any complication in this in the future.

Response:

In order to implement the interim order of the Cauverytribunal, the Cauvery River Water Authority has been set up with the Prime Minister of India as its Chairman. If there is any problem in giving 205 T.M.C of water, the Authority will take an appropriate decision. The final verdict of the Cauvery Tribunal will come soon.

Demand No.2:

Adequate and justifiable compensation should be paid toall the Tamil victims of 1991 Cauvery riots. Along with this, the government of Karnataka should ensure proper protection to the life and property of Tamilians.

Response:

Honorable Supreme Court, in its order dated 15-4-99, havedirected that it would be appropriate to deal with claims that arise in respect of affected persons in the riots that took place between December 1991 and January 1992, as an offshoot of Cauvery Water dispute between the state of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The honorable Supreme Court have formulated a detailed scheme for the constitution of Cauvery Riots Relief Authority comprising three retired district Judges. This Authority will invite claims from all persons affected. The authority, on completion of its work, will submit its report/recommendation together with all materials to the Supreme Court. The disbursement of compensation will be made as may be specified by the honorable Supreme Court. Karnataka has constituted this Authority on 14-5-1999. It is learnt that it has received about 10,000 claims, including about 2000 claims transferred from Tamil Nadu to Karnataka.

The Authority was expected to complete its work within 12months. Because of the heavy workload, the time limit has been extended, with the approval of Honorable Supreme Court, upto May 31, 2001.

Demand No:3

In Karnataka, after Kannadigas, Tamilians form major partof the population. Therefore, the government of Karnataka should accept Tamil as additional administration language.

Response:

As per the Government of India instructions, thegovernment have issued orders (No. DPAR 15 LML 99 DATED 20-5-99) to the effect that in areas where the linguistic minority constitute more that 15 per cent of the population, government notices, orders, rules should be issued in the minority language as well. This is common to all states, including Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Demand No:4

The Karnataka government should take immediate steps toopen/inaugurate a statue of poet Thiruvalluvar at Bangalore.

Response:

Both the Chief Ministers agreed to install and unveil thestatues of Thiruvalluvar and Sarvajna at Bangalore and Chennai respectively. Both the Chief Ministers will participate in the unveiling functions at Chennai and Bangalore.