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Veerappan takes to opium cultivation

Our Correspondent in Salem

With most of his lieutenants killed in battles with the police forces of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, and age too catching up, sandalwood smuggler Veerappan is said to have taken to opium cultivation in a big way.

With opium fetching Rs 200-250 per kg in the underground market, he is believed to be using local tribals in the borders of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala, to cultivate and market it.

"It used to be sandalwood at one time, and granite at another. Ivory was also a favourite with Veerapan. Now, he has taken to trading in opium in a big way," says a source.

"He is believed to be hard-pressed for money, and is not as agile as he used to be, with advancing age and exposure to the elements taking its toll."

With the police and forest officials of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu keeping a respectable distance, even while ensuring that he does not jump their wide net -- the forest brigand who is believed to have killed 130 people -- is said to be in no mood for anything adventurous.

There are also reports that lesser-known forest smugglers in localised areas have taken over the ivory trade.

Meanwhile, in the neighbouring Mettur town Veerappan's wife Veeralakshmi and eight-year-old daughter Vidya have approached the Tamil Nadu government and state politicians for help, to make a decent living, and for the young girl to continue her studies. "I come second in the class, and want to become a doctor," says Vidya, who misses her father, nonetheless.

The two petitioned Agriculture Minister Veerapandi S Arumugam, and Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S Ramadoss, whose Vanniar community Veerappan belongs. "Both promised help, but none came our way," says Veeralakshmi.

A Tamil magazine sponsored her visit to Chennai, where she was to meet with Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and explain her plight -- but the meeting did not materialise.

Vidya was born in the forests and was left at Veeralakshmi's family home one night by Veerappan. "For three years, we never met the child until I was nabbed by the police in a raid," recalls Veeralakshmi.

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