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The Death of Demon: Veerappan, the Notorious Indian Criminal

From Poaching to Kidnapping, the story of Veerappan's reign of terror and the efforts to bring him to justice.

By SriramPublished about a year ago 3 min read
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Veerappan was a notorious Indian criminal who terrorized the southern states of India for over two decades. He was known for his ruthless violence, his kidnappings and killings, and his illegal poaching and smuggling of sandalwood and ivory. Despite the efforts of law enforcement agencies, he evaded capture for many years. But, his reign of terror came to an end in 2004 when he was killed by the Tamil Nadu Special Task Force.

The Start of Veerappan's Criminal Career

Veerappan was born in a small village called Gopinatham in Tamilnadu. He was born into a low-income family, and as a youngster, he struggled to maintain his family. Veerappan experienced the hard realities of poverty and unemployment as a child, which would ultimately have a big impact on his decision to turn to a life of crime.

Veerappan took to sandalwood poaching in South Indian woods in the 1970s as a means of subsisting. He immediately developed a reputation as a cunning criminal and soon began engaging in kidnappings and the smuggling of ivory.

Veerappan started to perceive himself as a Robin Hood-like character fighting against the government and dishonest officials as his illegal activities became increasingly successful. He thought that by engaging in criminal activity, he was able to protest the system that had failed him and his family.

Sandalwood

Veerappan's Reign of Terror and Palar Blast

Many people's lives in the area were significantly impacted by Veerappan's illegal acts, which also terrified and traumatised the local community. He was notorious for using violence against people who disagreed with him, and his kidnappings and murders were especially cruel.

The poacher-turned-smuggler was supported for many years by a large network of associates, including other poachers, businesses, and politicians. Veerappan evaded capture for more than 20 years in spite of the attempts of law enforcement.

According to reports, he had asked the authorities for a sizable quantity of money in exchange for releasing the captives he had kidnapped and for halting his illegal operations.

Veerappan's most notable criminal activity was the Palar blast, where he and his associates planted a bomb on a train in which several people were killed and many others were injured.

The Manhunt for Veerappan and the Death of Demon

Veerappan had a large network of friends who helped him dodge the law, thus the search for him was protracted and challenging. But in 2004, the Karnataka police forces and the Tamil Nadu Special Task Force collaborated to begin "Operation Cocoon." Veerappan was killed as a result of the well-planned and carried out operation, which also led to the arrest of many of his friends. His death was described as the “Death of Demon”.

The Aftermath of Veerappan's Death

The over 20-year reign of terror came to an end with Veerappan's passing. His violent acts had a profound effect on many people's lives in the area, and his demise provided the communities he had harmed with a sense of comfort and closure.

It is crucial to remember that his crimes were mostly motivated by unemployment and poverty. His family was struggling financially, so he turned to smuggling and poaching to make ends meet.

It is crucial to take action to address the socio-economic conditions that contributed to his rise to criminal activity since his death has not addressed the underlying problems that motivated him to engage in criminal activity.

Veerappan's terror reign may have come to an end, yet his legacy continues. Many still view him as a Robin Hood-like character who stood up to the state and dishonest politicians. Many people continue to be fascinated by him despite the fact that his life has been the topic of numerous films and novels.

Conclusion

Veerappan, a legendary felon who plagued the southern Indian states for more than 2 decades. His violent acts had a significant impact on many people's lives in the area, and his demise provided the communities he had harmed with a sense of comfort and closure. But it's crucial to keep in mind that his crimes were mostly motivated by unemployment and poverty. His experience serves as a reminder of the damaging impacts of unemployment and poverty, as well as the need for the government to address these problems in order to stop future criminal activity.

incarcerationmafiainvestigationcapital punishment
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About the Creator

Sriram

Software Developer by profession

Interested in coding, watching crime/thriller movies, travelling.

Coffee addict.

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