Veerappan: Difference between revisions
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[[image:Koose Muniswamy Veerappan.jpg|frame|right|]] |
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'''Koose Muniswamy Veerappan''' (c. [[January 18]], [[1952]] - [[October 18]], [[2004]]) was a legendary [[bandit]] in [[India]]. He resided and carried out his activities in the BR Hills-MM Hills-Sathyamangalam-Gundiyal forests covering 6,000 sq km, spread over the states of [[Karnataka]] and [[Tamil Nadu]]. He was wanted by the police for [[sandalwood]] [[smuggling]], elephant [[poaching]], abductions and murders, and had evaded arrest for 20 years. He is believed to have killed more than 120 people, including senior police and forest officials, and 2000 elephants. He is accused of smuggling ivory worth $2.6m and sandalwood worth $22m. He had a reward of Rs. 5 Crore (Rs. 50m or $1.1m) on his head. |
'''Koose Muniswamy Veerappan''' (c. [[January 18]], [[1952]] - [[October 18]], [[2004]]) was a legendary [[bandit]] in [[India]]. He resided and carried out his activities in the BR Hills-MM Hills-Sathyamangalam-Gundiyal forests covering 6,000 sq km, spread over the states of [[Karnataka]] and [[Tamil Nadu]]. He was wanted by the police for [[sandalwood]] [[smuggling]], elephant [[poaching]], abductions and murders, and had evaded arrest for 20 years. He is believed to have killed more than 120 people, including senior police and forest officials, and 2000 elephants. He is accused of smuggling ivory worth $2.6m and sandalwood worth $22m. He had a reward of Rs. 5 [[Crore]] (Rs. 50m or $1.1m) on his head. |
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Veerappan was born in [[Gopinatham]] village in Karnataka. At age eighteen he joined a gang of poachers. Over the years, he eliminated members of a rival gang, and controlled the entire forest belt. He made money smuggling sandalwood trees and killing tuskers for ivory. His gang of forty members indulged in killing and abduction. Most of his victims were police and forest officials and informers. He was also known to kidnap prominent people to make demands, starting with a forest official in [[1987]]. |
Veerappan was born in [[Gopinatham]] village in Karnataka. At age eighteen he joined a gang of poachers. Over the years, he eliminated members of a rival gang, and controlled the entire forest belt. He made money smuggling sandalwood trees and killing tuskers for ivory. His gang of forty members indulged in killing and abduction. Most of his victims were police and forest officials and informers. He was also known to kidnap prominent people to make demands, starting with a forest official in [[1987]]. |
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Veerappan had a [[Robin Hood]]-like image among the villagers adjoining his native village Gopinatham. The villagers acted as cover to his activities and informed him of police activities. They also provided food and clothing to the gang. |
Veerappan had a [[Robin Hood]]-like image among the villagers adjoining his native village Gopinatham. The villagers acted as cover to his activities and informed him of police activities. They also provided food and clothing to the gang. |
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He was arrested in [[1986]], but escaped. According to wildlife photographer [[Krupakar]], who was kidnapped by the bandit, he paid a bribe of Rs. 1 lakh to a policeman to help him escape. |
He was arrested in [[1986]], but escaped. According to wildlife photographer [[Krupakar]], who was kidnapped by the bandit, he paid a bribe of Rs. 1 [[lakh]] to a policeman to help him escape. |
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In [[1990]], the Karnataka government formed a special task force to capture him and put an end to the menace. Soon after, the task force captured several of Veerappan's men. In February [[1992]], the special task force killed his lieutanant [[Gurunathan]]. A few months later, Veerappan attacked a police station, killed several policemen and captured arms and ammunition. This became a regular phenomenon. In [[1993]], the task force arrested his wife Muthulakshmi. In July [[1993]], he reportedly strangled his infant daughter, fearing that the child's cry may attract police attention. |
In [[1990]], the Karnataka government formed a special task force to capture him and put an end to the menace. Soon after, the task force captured several of Veerappan's men. In February [[1992]], the special task force killed his lieutanant [[Gurunathan]]. A few months later, Veerappan attacked a police station, killed several policemen and captured arms and ammunition. This became a regular phenomenon. In [[1993]], the task force arrested his wife Muthulakshmi. In July [[1993]], he reportedly strangled his infant daughter, fearing that the child's cry may attract police attention. |
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Revision as of 18:07, 19 October 2004
Koose Muniswamy Veerappan (c. January 18, 1952 - October 18, 2004) was a legendary bandit in India. He resided and carried out his activities in the BR Hills-MM Hills-Sathyamangalam-Gundiyal forests covering 6,000 sq km, spread over the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. He was wanted by the police for sandalwood smuggling, elephant poaching, abductions and murders, and had evaded arrest for 20 years. He is believed to have killed more than 120 people, including senior police and forest officials, and 2000 elephants. He is accused of smuggling ivory worth $2.6m and sandalwood worth $22m. He had a reward of Rs. 5 Crore (Rs. 50m or $1.1m) on his head.
Veerappan was born in Gopinatham village in Karnataka. At age eighteen he joined a gang of poachers. Over the years, he eliminated members of a rival gang, and controlled the entire forest belt. He made money smuggling sandalwood trees and killing tuskers for ivory. His gang of forty members indulged in killing and abduction. Most of his victims were police and forest officials and informers. He was also known to kidnap prominent people to make demands, starting with a forest official in 1987. He married Muthulakshmi, a shepherdess, in 1991.
Veerappan had a Robin Hood-like image among the villagers adjoining his native village Gopinatham. The villagers acted as cover to his activities and informed him of police activities. They also provided food and clothing to the gang.
He was arrested in 1986, but escaped. According to wildlife photographer Krupakar, who was kidnapped by the bandit, he paid a bribe of Rs. 1 lakh to a policeman to help him escape.
In 1990, the Karnataka government formed a special task force to capture him and put an end to the menace. Soon after, the task force captured several of Veerappan's men. In February 1992, the special task force killed his lieutanant Gurunathan. A few months later, Veerappan attacked a police station, killed several policemen and captured arms and ammunition. This became a regular phenomenon. In 1993, the task force arrested his wife Muthulakshmi. In July 1993, he reportedly strangled his infant daughter, fearing that the child's cry may attract police attention.
On July 30, 2000 Veerappan abducted popular Kannada film actor Dr. Rajkumar from his ancestral home. This event put the Karnataka government in a political dilemma, whether or not to call in the army. The decision was reached that to do so would set a poor precedent. Rajkumar was released without harm on November 15, 2000, after 109 days in captivity.
On August 25 2002 he kidnapped H. Nagappa, a former state minister. Nagappa was found dead in the forest three months later. The reward offered by the Karnataka state government was increased to 50 million rupees (US $1.1 million).
On October 18, 2004, following a tip-off, Veerappan and three associates were killed by Tamil Nadu State Special Task Force near the village of Paparapatti in Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu.
Criminal timeline
- at age eighteen - Joined a gang of poachers
- 1986 - Arrested but escaped under mysterious circumstances
- 1987 - Kidnapped and axed forest officer Chidambaram. Kidnapped and killed 5 members of a rival gang
- 1989 - Killed 3 forest personnel of Begur forest range
- 1990 - Killed 2 police personnel as revenge for killing of 2 members of his gang.
- Killed another 4 police officials of Karnataka. Karnataka government constituted Special Task Force (STF) to nab Veerappan.
- Shot and beheaded Karnataka deputy conservator, Srinivas as revenge for Veerappan's sister Mari's suicide (the victim's head was traced 3 years later)
- 1992 - Attacked a police station in Ramapura, killing five policemen and stealing arms and ammunition. STF killed 4 gang members in retaliation
- Trapped STF police official Harikrishna, Shakil Ahmed and 25 constables through a false informer. Killed 6 of the party using hand grenades and bombs.
- 1993 - Blew up a bus of 22 passengers including police and civillians, using landmine
- Killed 6 policemen of Karnataka special SP Gopal Hosur's party
- Tamil Nadu goverment deployed Border Security Force (BSF)
- Joint operations of BSF and STF arrested 19 gang members and killed 6. 3 policemen were killed
- Veerappan requested for amnesty. Victim's relatives opposed any government negotiations
- 1996 - Killed a police informer.
- Killed another 10 personnel.
- Attacked police official Tamilselvan and killed a constable as revenge for the suicide of Veerappan's brother Arjunan in police custody
- 1997 - Apparently killed heir apparent 'Baby' Veerappan
- 2000 - Kidnapped Kannada film actor Dr. Rajkumar. Released him after 109 days
- 2002 - Kidnapped and allegedly killed former Karnataka minister H. Nagappa
- 2004 - Killed by Tamil Nadu State Special Task Force members