Let another panel probe STF atrocities: Nedumaran

By Our Staff Correspondent

MYSORE, NOV. 25. The Tamil Nationalist Movement leader, Mr. P. Nedumaran, wants a separate commission to inquire into the ``atrocities'' committed by the Special Task Force in the course of its operations against the forest brigand, Veerappan. He was speaking to presspersons after visiting 51 TADA detenus in the Mysore Central Prison Today.

Mr. Nedumaran said the Sadasiva Commission, constituted by the National Human Rights Commission, was only a fact-finding body. Its brief was restricted to quantifying relief for the victims. ``We demand the constitution of a commission to go into the atrocities of the STF. We will hold public meetings in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and expose the STF.''

Describing the plight of the TADA detenus as pathetic, Mr. Nedumaran said they had been languishing in the prison for years and their families shattered.

Asked why he had not spoken on behalf of the 51 TADA detenus all these years, Mr. Nedumaran said he had raised the issue several times but he did not get any commitment from the authorities. Asked why he was harping on the STF ``atrocities'' and not those committed by Veerappan, he said cases had been booked against the brigand but not against the STF officials.

He said human rights activists and victims of the STF ``atrocities'' would assemble at Kolathur in Tamil Nadu on Sunday to highlight the atrocities committed by the STF. To a question on holding a public meeting on November 26, which happens to be the birthday of the LTTE leader, Mr. V. Prabhakaran, Mr. Nedumaran categorically denied any link with the Tigers and said no significance should be attached to the date.

Mr. Nedumaran said the STF operations against Veerappan would hamper the Sadasiva Commission proceedings. Asked whether the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Governments had broken the promises made to secure the release of the Kannada actor, Mr. Rajkumar, he said no promises were made to Veerappan, nor any deal struck.

He said Mr. Ashwath Narayan, a Sarvodaya leader from Karnataka, had met him and expressed his desire to meet and persuade Veerappan to change his ways. ``I support the move. Sarvodaya leaders from Karnataka should come forward with such moves.''

Asked why Veerappan changed his mind suddenly and agreed to release Mr. Rajkumar, Mr. Nedumaran said : ``That is a million- dollar question.''

Mr. Nedumaran refused to answer any question on the role of Dr. Bhanu in securing the release of Mr. Rajkumar.

Prof. Kalyani, Mr. Sukumaran, Mr. Kolathur Mani, Mr. Ramaswamy and others accompanied Mr. Nedumaran.

Bail plea in SC:

Meanwhile four independent bail applications were filed in the Supreme Court on Friday on behalf of the 51 TADA detenus, their counsel, Mr. Venugopal, said today.

This was made possible by the ``moral and financial'' help rendered by Mr. Nedumaran. Mr. Venugopal said the applications would be admitted within a week.

While three applications were filed by Mr. Venugopal, one application was filed by another advocate, Mr. Girish Ananthmurthy.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : National
Previous : New joint strategy to nab Veerappan
Next     : V. P. Singh meditates on party and politics