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CRIME:
VEERAPPAN
Dwindling
Options
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are in a bind as the official emissary fails
to effect Rajkumar's release
By
Vaasanthi and Stephen
David
If
this were baseball, there would have been an apt phrase for R.R. Gopal:
three strikes and you're out. As the editor of Tamil weekly Nakkeeran
weaved his weary path home last week after a third round of talks with
Veerappan in his forest lair, the drooping body language was suggestive
of defeat. Not only had Gopal failed to secure Kannada actor Rajkumar's
release but all he had to show for his efforts was another addition to
the growing set of "Veerappan cassettes" in the custody of the
Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Governments. Gopal was quick to blame the Supreme
Court for scuttling the fulfilment of Veerappan's main demand-release
of five Tamil militants and 51 tada detenus, all of whom are the bandit's
associates. But there is more to Gopal's failure than meets the eye.
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| Duo
In Distress: Krishna(left) and Karunanidhi |
So
what exactly went wrong? A number of things. To begin with, it is now
reliably learnt that Veerappan never wanted Gopal as an emissary. Apparently,
the first Veerappan cassette-that came through the fringe Tamil ultra
groups before any emissary was sent-clearly stated that Gopal shouldn't
be sent as a negotiator. However, both the chief ministers-S.M. Krishna
of Karnataka and M. Karunanidhi of Tamil Nadu-opted for Gopal. This, analysts
say, could have made Veerappan doubt the state governments' seriousness
in considering his demands.
After his first visit, Gopal too issued press statements, saying, "Veerappan
is a changed man." He said the bandit had become difficult to handle
and seemed to have been brainwashed by his new Tamil terrorist colleagues.
Besides, the Governments erred in not sending any officials with Gopal,
feels Cho Ramaswamy, Tamil Nadu MP and editor of the weekly, Tuglaq. "After
all, Veerappan knows that Gopal is only a messenger and cannot bargain
or argue on behalf of the Governments," he adds. Still, Gopal was
sent alone three times.
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What
They Can Do
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•Launch
A Rescue Operation: The Karnataka Special Task Force (STF) is on
alert following a meeting between Chief Minister S.M.Krishna and
STF Commander H. Raju. However, recent reports suggest that the
STF is ill-equipped to handle such an operation and Rajkumar may
be harmed.
•Follow
The Legal Course: This would mean pursuing Veerappan's main demand
of releasing his jailed associates. Would entail prolonged arguments
in the Supreme Court about preceednts where various state governments
and the Centre have withdrawn cases against individuals.
•Change
The Emissary: Since Nakkeeran Editor R.R. Gopal has failed three
times now, the Tamil Naadu and Karnataka Governments can think of
appointing another emissary, someone who is closer to Veerappan.
This may only help the Governments buy some time.
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Gopal,
however, maintains that after the third meeting Veerappan was convinced
his demands would be met and would have released Rajkumar but for the
Supreme Court order, staying the release of his jailed associates. The
court had acted on a public interest petition filed by the kin of a policeman
slain by the bandit. "It was sheer bad luck," Gopal adds, asserting
that Veerappan is willing to withdraw all other demands if his colleagues
are freed.
But most experts are not inclined to believe this. They are convinced
there is a set of secret demands that includes money and general amnesty.
Besides, rumours abound that Rajkumar's family has agreed to pay Gopal
Rs 1 crore if he can secure the actor's release. Gopal's offer to return
to the forest a fourth time is being viewed with much scepticism. Analysts
also point out that somewhere along the line, the Tamil Nadu Government
decided to play a more passive role. They point out that the Karunanidhi
Government had already compromised itself by using Veerappan's video cassettes-shot
by Gopal in 1997-during the election campaign. In these cassettes, which
were widely aired on Sun TV, Veerappan openly abuses former Tamil Nadu
chief minister J. Jayalalitha and her friend Sasikala. Now, after Gopal's
failure, the Tamil Nadu Government wants to wash its hands off the whole
affair and let Karnataka handle it.
But what are the options before the Karnataka Government? Experts say
there are only three choices, one of them being a daring rescue operation.
This option, not seriously considered till now, may become a reality.
On September 5, Krishna held a meeting with Special Task Force (STF) commander
Harshvardhan Raju and its former chief Shankar Bidari, both of whom reportedly
expressed readiness to launch the operation. As things stand, the STF
is on alert.
The problem with undertaking such an operation is that Veerappan may harm
the hostages. Experts are divided over the issue. Some point out that
Veerappan is known to bow in the face of an imminent operation, as he
did in 1997 when the then chief minister J.H. Patel threatened the use
of the army. However, this time around, Union Defence Minister George
Fernandes has ruled out any army intervention. Also, the 500-strong STF
force in Karnataka doesn't really inspire confidence, especially as a
report (details on www.india-today.com) by a former STF superintendent
of police K. Arkesh points out glaring inadequacies like improper weaponry
for the terrain, bad planning and poor coordination. The Tamil Nadu STF
reportedly faces the same problems.
The second option is to continue bending backwards to meet Veerappan's
demands. This would mean arguing before the Supreme Court as to why Veerappan's
associates and the five Tamil ultras should be released. Says Justice
B.G. Balakrishna, a retired Karnataka High Court judge and visiting professor
at the National Law School: "It is going to be a tough task for Karnataka
to convince the apex court about its desire to withdraw the cases to secure
Rajkumar's release. But Karnataka Advocate-General A.N. Jayaram holds
hope, saying, "The Supreme Court has not rejected our plea yet."
The Government's counsel is expected to defend its right to withdraw the
cases against Veerappan's associates on the grounds that law and order
is a state subject and might show precedents where various state governments
and even the Centre have acted in a similar way.
Option three is to dump Gopal and get another emissary-preferably someone
closer to Veerappan-and start another round of negotiations to buy time.
Rajnikant, the Tamil film actor, who has taken a personal interest in
the crisis, could be an emissary choice. However, according to sources,
while the actor is willing to help with funds, he isn't keen to enter
the jungle. Another choice is the Mysore lawyer, K. Venugopal, who represented
Veerappan's brother and still appears for the bandit's associates in court.
While the Karnataka Government is already holding discussions with Venugopal,
Tamil Nadu is reported to have some reservations and has even struck down
the plan of sending him with Gopal. So, as of now, there is a stalemate,
with both the Governments trying to agree on the need for another emissary.
And as the rescue efforts continue, Rajkumar's ordeal in the jungle may
turn out to be a prolonged one.
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