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The Rediff Interview/Walter Dawaram, former Tamil Nadu director general of police

'I can still go into the
jungle and free Rajakumar'

Walter Dawaram, the former Tamil Nadu director general of police is angry and disappointed but raring to go. Despite advancing age, he declares that he is ready to undertake a trek into the jungle to take on forest brigand Veerappan and free Kannada film icon Dr Rajakumar.

But that may not happen.

Despite the Tamil Nadu government's decision to withdraw security recently, he has joined the case in the Supreme Court, questioning the release of Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act detenues in his individual capacity. He mocks Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for their willingness to bend before the bandit, claiming that a commando operation could succeed even now.

In the entire saga of anti-Veerappan operations, Dawaram is a towering name. He is credited with the most successful operations against the brigand that culminated in reducing the gang to a handful of men.

He spoke to Josy Joseph a few minutes after arguments in the case ended in the Supreme Court on Tuesday. Excerpts

Why did you join the case at this stage? What is your contention?

In 1980, I was in charge of anti-Naxalite operations. We eliminated 30 Naxalites and over 100 were arrested. We also rehabilitated over 300 borderline cases. I was then DIG (Vellore) and our operations were mostly in areas bordering Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. We also recruited about 50 borderline cases into the police. I lost a number of my men. The operations were between 1980 and 1984. I was also in-charge of anti-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam operations in 1987. Till 1991, when Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated, I was in-charge. We disarmed them and sent them all away.

Then, while in-charge of anti-Veerappan operations, we reduced his gang strength from 150 to a mere five. Then the government changed in Tamil Nadu and I was posted out. I was not given another opportunity, though I had told the state government about my willingness when in-charge of training, where I had a lot of time.

The Tamil National Liberation Army and Tamil National Retrieval Troops are borderline cases mainly indulging in attacking unarmed policemen and blasting railway tracks. Now they, together with some pro-LTTE elements like P Nedumaran, have joined Veerappan.

My representation is on behalf of those who have died fighting them, expressing anxiety on behalf of officers who stood by me and fought them. Now they will be singled out and attacked. My attempt is to prevent them from getting together.

Are you hopeful of success? And what was the reaction of the state government to you joining the case?

On October 17, I filed an affidavit and two days later the state government withdrew my security. On Tuesday, when we were informing the court about that, the Tamil Nadu counsel said that the security would be restored. I am ready to die. I am not bothered.

Are the actions of the Karunanidhi government helping Veerappan? You were moved out and police action was slowed down.

They thought he will surrender and that will bring a great name to Karunanidhi. We had originally brought down the total strength of the Veerappan gang to just two. The others were Naxal elements. I had given in writing that I am ready to fight the brigand and finish him off, but they (Karunanidhi government) didn't want that.

So what will happen now?

Veerappan will release Rajakumar and they will slacken down again. Again he will kidnap somebody. And like in the last four years, Nakkeeran editor R R Gopal will become the emissary, negotiate and again the state will give in to his demands.

What has been your experience in conducting operations against him during hostage crises? You have at least twice rescued hostages from him.

Yes. In 1994, he had kidnapped a police officer and two relatives and held them hostage for 27 days. I entered the forest with my men and cornered the gang. After an exchange of fire we rescued the hostages and three men surrendered.

In 1995, he kidnapped three forest guards and I entered the forest again. He left them and went away. There was not even an exchange of fire. But on the last three to four occasions, since I left the post, it has been Gopal who has been negotiating.

Do you think an operation to rescue Rajakumar could be successful even now?

Yeah, yeah. If I were there I would have done it. But now I am nobody to comment. He is not very far away. Ever time the emissary goes and returns, you can calculate how far he is, and there are other ways to find out his location. The TNLA men will run away the moment they see the police.

Is there a possibility of Veerappan killing Rajakumar?

No. He never kills hostages.

What is your opinion of Gopal?

I don't know how much money he earns for each trip. But if we were in any other country, he would be the first accused after Veerappan. The government should investigate him.

What is Karunanidhi's attitude towards the crisis?

Veerappan used to abuse the earlier chief minister and that cassette brought back by Gopal was used extensively in the last elections through Sun TV and other means.

What is the situation now?

We are at a point of no return.

At your age, do you think you can still lead a successful operation?

Yes, I am ready for an operation. I can resume duty in a matter of hours. The last time when I went into the jungle I took just 25 men. And if given enough people, I can carry out a successful operation.

The Rajakumar Abduction: complete coverage
The saga of Veerappan

The Rediff Interviews

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