Veerappan, real life Robin Hood, Cold blooded murderer or both?

Noboy else may find this interesting, but I thought this guys story was incredible. He's like a murderous pirate meets Robin Hood, but he's alive and active in modern day India. I hope this goes here. I don't think it will provoke any major debate, but if it somehow, does, I trust the admins will move it to D&D board.

I began reading about this guy long ago when I heard about the strange kidnapping of Indian filmstar, Rajakumar. He held the film star hostage for more than 100 days without ever being caught. The actor has since writtne of his capture, and speaks almost fondly of Veerappan.

I'll tell the overview, and post some links if anyone who doesn't know this guy is interested.

He's an Indian bandit, who started out as a poacher. He once beheaded a police investigator who is supposed to have killed his sister and was on his trail. He later started smuggling sandalwood as well. He's been caught more than once and escaped and run back into the jungles where is able to hide or ambush his pursuers. He's raided police stations for arms, and medicine for himself and his men.

He used much of his ill-gained money to feed villagers, build them homes, and provide them with other basic services. He's kidnapped numerous political figures and one top name movie star. These people he's held for ransom. Often the terms of the ransom were for release of his men who were being held, water rights for the Tamil people and other political considerations for often downtrodden Indians.

At one point over 2000 police were brought in to try and search for the bandit, and an Indian 'Super Cop' known for unorthodox methods was called out of retirement. It's all been futile as the bandit has eluded all of those who would bring him to justice. Despite the large reward on his head, his knowledge of dense jungles ability to stay mobile and willingness of villagers to help him escape has proved too much.

Here's one bit of a story where he was surrounded. The authorities were sure they had him, but once again the bandit escaped.

Madurai, February 19: Sandalwood smuggler Veerappan has been surrounded in the MM Hills area by the personnel of the Special Task Forces of both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and he would find it very difficult to escape the dragnet, a high-ranking official of the Tamil Nadu police said today.

‘‘Veerappan is holed up now and he will be nabbed very soon,’’ Tamil Nadu Director General of Police, R. Rajagopalan, told reporters here.

The DGP, who had himself ventured into the forest recently and stayed there for three days for an on-the-spot assessment of the progress made in the efforts to nab Veerappan, said police had fixed four ‘points’ for intensive combing operations. These were Ilanjikarai, Kattakarai and Palaru in Tamil Nadu and Thengadi on the Karnataka side.

Asked to comment on reports of Veerappan planning to strike again, he ruled out the possibility and shot back: ‘‘How can a man on the run in a restricted area strike?’’

The DGP, who was speaking to reporters after visiting an STF constable in hospital who was injured in an accident, said that the government would meet all his treatment expenses.

Anyway I don't know if the guy is a hero a brutal murderer or both. He's supposed to have killed over 120 people mostly police or forrestry agents on his trail. He's no doubt done some good, and is crafty.

Here are some links with some information if anyone cares to read. They include pictures of Veerappan, because the guy looks like a definite character.

http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/jul/30spec.htm

http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/nov/22veer1.htm

http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9606/19/india.smuggler/

OK, I'll admit I'm odd. This is the kind of stuff I research in my freetime.

 

The guy does have an impressive mustache. Also if you like this guy check in google for him every now and then, because he kidnaps people from time to time, and the whole show starts fresh.