Here's All You Need To Know About The Indian Sandalwood Smuggler Veerappan

source: britannica.com

Veerappan, whose full name was Koose Munisamy Veerappan, was a notorious Indian bandit and smuggler who operated primarily in the forests of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. 

Here are some truths about Veerappan: 

Criminal Activities: 


Veerappan was involved in a wide range of criminal activities, including poaching, sandalwood smuggling, and kidnapping for ransom. He was known to be extremely violent and ruthless in his methods and was responsible for the deaths of many people, including police officers and forest officials. 

Elusive: 


Veerappan was known for his ability to evade capture for many years, despite the best efforts of the police and security forces. He was extremely familiar with the terrain of the forests in which he operated and had a network of supporters and informers who helped him stay one step ahead of the authorities. 

High Profile Kidnappings:


One of Veerappan's most high-profile kidnappings was that of the Kannada film actor Rajkumar, whom he held captive for over 100 days in 2000. The kidnapping led to widespread protests and demands for the actor's release and eventually ended with the government agreeing to Veerappan's demands in exchange for Rajkumar's freedom. 

Encounter And Death: 


Veerappan was killed in an encounter with the police in October 2004, after many years on the run. His death was widely celebrated as a victory for law enforcement but also raised questions about the use of extra-judicial methods to deal with criminal elements. 

Legacy: 

source: Indiantimes.com

Veerappan's legacy continues to be a controversial one, with some people seeing him as a Robin Hood-like figure who stood up against the exploitation of the forests by the government and corporations, while others see him as a ruthless criminal who terrorized the people of the region. 

 

Early Life: 


Veerappan was born in the Gopinatham village of Tamil Nadu in 1952. His father was a labourer and his mother was a housewife. Veerappan dropped out of school at a young age and started working as a labourer. 

Rise To Infamy:


Veerappan started his criminal career as a sandalwood smuggler but soon expanded his activities to include poaching and extortion. He became one of the most wanted criminals in India and was responsible for the deaths of many people, including police officers and forest officials. 

Forest Environment: 


Veerappan was intimately familiar with the forests in which he operated and was able to use his knowledge of the terrain to evade the police and security forces for many years. He was also known to have a deep love for the natural environment and was opposed to the exploitation of forests by the government and corporations. 

Support Network: 


Veerappan
had a network of supporters and informers who helped him evade the authorities and carry out his criminal activities. Some of these supporters were local villagers who sympathized with his cause, while others were members of criminal gangs who saw an opportunity to profit from his activities. 

Controversial Methods: 


Veerappan was known for his use of violent and ruthless methods to achieve his goals, including kidnapping for ransom and killing those who opposed him. However, he was also seen by some as a Robin Hood-like figure who stood up against the exploitation of the forests by the government and corporations. 

Death And Aftermath: 


Veerappan was killed in an encounter with the police in 2004, which was seen as a major victory for law enforcement. However, his legacy continues to be a controversial one, with some people seeing him as a hero and others as a criminal. 

Veerappan primarily carried out his criminal activities in the dense forests of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala in southern India. He was known to be extremely familiar with the terrain of these forests and used it to his advantage to evade the police and security forces.

Some of the specific areas where Veerappan operated included Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary, Bandipur National Park, and Biligiriranga Hills. His criminal activities included poaching, sandalwood smuggling, and kidnapping for ransom. Veerappan's notoriety as a criminal made him one of the most wanted and elusive fugitives in India.

Written By: Syed Abbas

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