Southern States - Tamil Nadu   

STF will rise to occasion, says Jayalalithaa

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI DEC. 8. Within hours of receiving the news of the killing of the former Karnataka Minister, H. Nagappa, the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, today expressed confidence that the Tamil Nadu Special Task Force would rise to the occasion in the renewed operation to nab the forest bandit, Veerappan.

In a statement, Ms. Jayalalithaa said the State STF was always motivated and committed to nabbing Veerappan.

"They have distinguished themselves in very trying circumstances, showing exemplary commitment to duty, professionalism and remarkable courage. I am confident that they will rise to the occasion and will not leave any stone unturned to capture Veerappan."

Ms. Jayalalithaa said she gave instructions to the Director-General of Police, B.P. Nailwal, and the Chief of STF, W.I. Dawaram, to get in touch with their Karnataka counterparts for reviving the joint operation.

Conveying her condolences to the family of Mr. Nagappa, she said: "The worst has now happened."

Condemning the killing in the "strongest terms", she said the joint operations against Veerappan were discontinued only at the instance of the Karnataka Government.

Tamil Nadu had no role to play on the Karnataka side of the forests, as Veerappan continued to be located in the Karnataka territory.

In this context, Ms. Jayalalithaa recalled that when a seven-member Karnataka team, including two Ministers and senior officials, met her on November 18, she made it clear that Tamil Nadu would be willing to reactivate the joint operations in Karnataka territory if the Karnataka Government desired.

"I had reiterated that if a specific request is made by the Government of Karnataka suggesting the active involvement of the Government of Tamil Nadu in the capture of Veerappan, it will be given due consideration and all possible assistance rendered for the rescue of Mr. Nagappa. The Karnataka Government at that point of time had apprehensions because they feared for the safety of Mr. Nagappa," she said.

High alert

Meanwhile, the border districts of Tamil Nadu have been placed under high alert. As a measure of precaution, the State Transport Corporation buses have been asked not to ply beyond the border. All private vehicles too have been asked not to venture beyond into Karnataka.

Earlier, there were instances of clashes between Tamils and Kannadigas on issues such as Cauvery. The police have decided to take all preventive steps.

In the Nilgiris, which shares a forest border with Karnataka, vehicles have been asked not to move beyond the Kakkanullah check post.

Security has been strengthened at Kakkanullah.

The Nilgiris Collector, K. Sellamuthu, who is in Chennai in connection for the Collectors' conference, is monitoring the situation.

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