TN did not authorise Gopal to meet brigand

CHENNAI, Nov 23: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Sunday said that Nakeeran editor R R Gopal had gone to the forest to meet sanda...

CHENNAI, Nov 23: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Sunday said that Nakeeran editor R R Gopal had gone to the forest to meet sandalwood smuggler Veerappan without the permission of the Tamil Nadu government.

“He should have sought the government’s permission before going,” the CM added. Gopal had gone to the forest to discuss the modalities of surrender, including its venue and timing, even as the Special Task Forces (STFs) launched combing operations to nab the brigand. Gopal is expected to return to Chennai on Monday.

Meanwhile, AIADMK (J) leader J Jayalalitha on Sunday accused Karunanidhi of trying to exploit the issue. Jaya wondered how Gopal could have entered the forests to negotiate with the forest brigand, evading the STF. If as the government claimed, Gopal had not gone as an emissary, she wondered, why the STF had not taken Gopal into custody.

By sending Gopal when the STF was already deployed, Karunanidhi was only trying to protect anti-social elements’ and thereby demeaning his post, she charged, adding that he had no right to continue as chief minister. She claimed the whole operation was an ’eye-wash”, wondering why the STF had not followed Gopal to nab Veerappan.