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Fact file
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These
photos throw light on the kind of life Veerapan leads in his
forest hideout...» |
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Related
Story » |
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The brigand with the deadly moustache, Munusamy Veerappan, had
a crime life spanning four decades. The toll: at least 120 people,
2,000 elephants, over 88,000 pounds of ivory, and sandalwood worth
millions. Here is a crime file of India’s most dreaded dacoit.
- 1955:
Ten-year-old Veerappan shoots down a tusker near Gopinatham.
- 1955-1980:
Over 300 elephants are poached by Veerappan.
- 1984-1986:
Four persons belonging to the Karnataka Forest Department are
killed.
- July
1987: A Tamil Nadu forest officer Chidambaram is kidnapped
and lynched..
- January
1989: Five members of a rival gang are kidnapped and
killed.
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Aug 1989:
Three forest personnel of Begur forest range of Tamil Nadu are
killed. Their mutilated bodies are recovered 19 days later.
- Jan
1990: A sub-inspector and a head constable are shot by
Veerappan's gang, following gunning down of two of his members
by Tamil Nadu police .
- April
1990: In the first direct attack, Veerappan ambushed
and mowed down three sub-inspectors and a constable, including
Dinesh, an officer, who had been "hot on his trial"..
- May
1990: Special Task force constituted to nab the poacher.
- Nov
1990: R Srinivas deputy conservator of forests is shot
and beheaded. Srinivas was blamed for the death of Mari, Veerappan's
sister. Head is traced three years later.r
- Feb
20, 1992: Son of a granite quarry owner kidnapped in
Karnataka and Rs one crore ransom demanded. Quarry owner pays
Rs 15 Lakh as ransom.
- May
20, 1992: Swoops down on Ramapura police station, killing
policemen and taking away a cache of arms.
- June
15, 1992: STF kills four of Veerappan's gang in Nellur
village. Veerappan sends a note, saying 'I will finish all of
you'.
- August
14, 1992: Veerappan traps STF SP, Harikrishna and 27
police personnel. Bombed Harikrishna, Ahmed and four others.
- April
1993: A bus carrying Tamil Nadu police personnel is blown
up near Palar killing 22 personnel including civilians, SP 'Rambo'
Gopalakrishnan hurt in the attack.
- May
1993: Attacks Karnataka SP, Gopal Hosur and party at
MM hills, killing six policemen. July 1993: BSF begins operations
in the forest area, nabs 19 members of the gang.
- August
1993: Series of encounters with BSF and Veerappan's gang
claim lives of 18 gang members and three policemen. Few months
later, Veerappan sends audio cassette, seeking amnesty.
- December
1994: DSP, Directorate of Vigilance and anti-corruption
Chidambaranathan and two companions kidnapped from Coimbatore
district. They escape on December 31 after 27 days, under the
cover of STF onslaught. Veerappan's brother, Arujunan and two
gang members Ayyadyrai and Rangaswamy, surrender.
- November
1995: Three forest officials kidnapped in the Anthiyur
forest in Erode and a ransom of Rs five crore sought. Hostages
set free 20 days later after Rs.3.5 lakh is paid unofficially.
- December
1995: Veerappan attacks TN STF, two personnel killed.
The attack is to avenge the death of Arjuna and Rangaswamy who
had consumed poison in STF custody.
- January
1996: Attack on Tamil Nadu SP, Tamilselvan and party,
killing a constable and injuring the SP.
- April
1997:After a lull of nearly one year, the bullet ridden
body of Veerappan's heir apparent 'Baby' Veerappan is found in
the forests.
- July
1997: Ten forest personnel are kidnapped. One is sent
back with a surrender offer on a cassette. On August 5 another
hostage reaches Chennai with the Tamil Magazine Nakkeeran editor,
RR Gopal. Others are released later.
- Dec
21, 1998: Veerappan and gang attack Vellitiruppur police
station in TN, decamped with nine guns, ammunition after this
major operations, Veerappan with reduced strength of his supporters
lies low, seeks amnesty and holds negotiations with Tamil Nadu
Government.
- April
28, 1999: Another major attack, three forest officials
are kidnapped near Hogenekkal in Tamil Nadu's Dharmapuri district.
Letters and audio cassette are sent to the district collector.
- July
30, 2000: Sensational abduction of Kannada matinee idol
Rajkumar and four others from Doddagajanur guest house. One of
the hostages, Nagappa escapes from their clutches.
- August
25, 2002:
Former Karnataka Minister H Nagappa is abducted. Body found after
some days.
- October
18, 2004: The brigand was killed by the STF of Tamil
Nadu Police
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