Bandit's story has more takers

India's most wanted bandit, Koose Muniswamy Veerappan, could well be touching up his twirling moustache somewhere in southern India's largest forest, happy that there are more takers for his story about the causes that led to the death of Hannur Nagappa, his kidnap victim of 106 days, in just one week.

Last Sunday, Veerappan's sixth audio cassette sent shock waves as he reeled out information that Nagappa "could have died" after an encounter with the Tamil Nadu police on December 5. Several hours later, the family members of Nagappa found the body of the politician at the exact spot identified by the bandit.

Veerappan, who has always gloated over the death of all those whom he has killed - he has a list of 120 killings, including police and forest officials - repeatedly swore on the almighty in the cassette that he had not killed Nagappa, held hostage since August 25.

But, in just one week, the quibbling between the two states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, the finding of tell-tale marks of an encounter around the spot where Nagappa's body was found, the finding of 27 empty fired cases of AK-47 rifle, and the assertions of Nagappa's family and supporters, is beginning to give credence to Veerappan's encounter story.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayaram Jayalalithaa first took exception to the remark of Karnataka Home Minister Mallikarjuna Kharge which by implication meant that he would look into the charge of Veerappan against the Tamil Nadu police later.

But, in the bargain, she also confirmed that the body of a Karnataka policeman was found some kilometres away from the spot where Nagappa's body was found. Nagappa's body was found in the Karnataka side of the border.

And, Veerappan had also pointed out in his cassette that "at least two policemen have died" in the encounter.

The controversy has convinced senior Janata Dal leader and former state home minister P.G.R. Sindhia to publicly state: "It is now clear that Nagappa did die in an encounter. The question is whether he was killed by Karnataka or Tamil Nadu policemen who wanted to become heroes. There is information that they were loitering around the forest as Ayyappa devotees."

And, family members and supporters of Nagappa claim to have recovered 150 bullet caps, many with 1984-1988 markings, near the spot where his body was found.

Senior police officials are wary of discussing the issue, but a senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirms that there was an encounter.

But the official has refused to say if subordinate officials from both the states could have collaborated to either become heroes if the operation succeeded or, if it failed, damage the image of the Karnataka government, against which they have an axe to grind.

"There are layers and layers of games that need to be deciphered. It will take time. But, right now, we are going ahead with joint operations with Tamil Nadu," said another official said on condition of anonymity.

And, in a bid to end the distrust between the two southern states, Karnataka Chief Minister S.M. Krishna is planning to suggest to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, that the federal government take over command of the operations.

The chief ministers of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala are expected to meet later this week for deciding on a joint strategy, along with the central government, to end the 15-year old menace of Veerappan whose hideout, the Bargur-Sathyamangalam forest range straddles the three southern states.