MYSURU: Karnataka cops are closer to completing the investigation into the 1993 Palar landmine blast that claimed 22 lives of policemen from Tamil Nadu as well as forest officials and informers. Four associates of slain forest bandit Veerappan and accused in the case — Rajamanikyam, Manikyavelu Rathnamma and Ammanni — are still at large.
The arrest of Stella Mary on Sunday raised hopes of a team tracking down gang members. The investigation has continued for 26 years, 9 months. She was booked for assisting Veerappan and his associates in the crime and has been been on the run since then.
Stella, 40, had been served a warrant but never arrested. During an operation to drive away elephants which raided fields in Martalli, Chennipuradoddi in Kollegala, police got a clue about her presence and detained her the next day. She was 13 years old when booked in the case.
In all, 143 persons, including Veerappan, his wife Muthulakshmi and Kolathur Mani were accused under various provisions of the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, Indian Penal Code, Indians Arms Act and The Explosive Substances Act. And 110 died in encounters and due to natural causes. Warrants were served against 33, including Stella who was accused number 122.
Of these, 26 were arrested and some were convicted and a few released due to lack of evidence, a police officer said. Last year, MM Hills police nabbed Rayanna and Shivaswamy aka ‘Double Gundi’ and remanded them to judicial custody. Chamarajanagar Superintendent of Police HD Anandakumar said, “We don’t know whether those at large are alive or not.”
Chamarajanagar district and sessions court public prosecutor TH Lolakshi said, “It’s perhaps the longest pending case in the district. In the past year, three persons including Stella have been traced and arrested in connection with the 1993 Palar blast.” After the incident, many fled to Tamil Nadu and other places to evade arrest.
The public prosecutor said since Stella was a minor when booked, the court would decide how and where the trial must be conducted.
The incident
After Veerappan killed a police informer and challenged cops to arrest him by posting a banner, a police team from Tamil Nadu led by ‘Rambo’ Gopalkrishna left for the spot in two vehicles. Forest officials and informers too guided them in the woods. Veerappan planted landmines and killed 22 persons at Sorekaimadavu on MM Hills in April 1993. Due to the impact, pieces of bodies were found hanging on treetops.
The arrest of Stella Mary on Sunday raised hopes of a team tracking down gang members. The investigation has continued for 26 years, 9 months. She was booked for assisting Veerappan and his associates in the crime and has been been on the run since then.
Stella, 40, had been served a warrant but never arrested. During an operation to drive away elephants which raided fields in Martalli, Chennipuradoddi in Kollegala, police got a clue about her presence and detained her the next day. She was 13 years old when booked in the case.
In all, 143 persons, including Veerappan, his wife Muthulakshmi and Kolathur Mani were accused under various provisions of the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, Indian Penal Code, Indians Arms Act and The Explosive Substances Act. And 110 died in encounters and due to natural causes. Warrants were served against 33, including Stella who was accused number 122.
Of these, 26 were arrested and some were convicted and a few released due to lack of evidence, a police officer said. Last year, MM Hills police nabbed Rayanna and Shivaswamy aka ‘Double Gundi’ and remanded them to judicial custody. Chamarajanagar Superintendent of Police HD Anandakumar said, “We don’t know whether those at large are alive or not.”
Chamarajanagar district and sessions court public prosecutor TH Lolakshi said, “It’s perhaps the longest pending case in the district. In the past year, three persons including Stella have been traced and arrested in connection with the 1993 Palar blast.” After the incident, many fled to Tamil Nadu and other places to evade arrest.
The public prosecutor said since Stella was a minor when booked, the court would decide how and where the trial must be conducted.
The incident
After Veerappan killed a police informer and challenged cops to arrest him by posting a banner, a police team from Tamil Nadu led by ‘Rambo’ Gopalkrishna left for the spot in two vehicles. Forest officials and informers too guided them in the woods. Veerappan planted landmines and killed 22 persons at Sorekaimadavu on MM Hills in April 1993. Due to the impact, pieces of bodies were found hanging on treetops.
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