Koose Munisamy Veerappan, born on January 18, 1952, in India, was a domestic terrorist known for his heinous crimes that terrorized the southern belt of peninsular India. His criminal activities ranged from kidnapping and ransom to elephant poaching and smuggling of sandalwood from endangered forests. Veerappan was a truly deplorable criminal who committed unspeakable atrocities, including the murder of over 184 people, mostly police officers and forest officials, the slaughter of over 2000 elephants, and the pillaging of more than 143,000 pounds of sandalwood.
Veeraapan's early life was marked by violence and crime. He was born into a Tamil Vanniyar family and reportedly learned his brutal trade from his uncle. His criminal tendencies manifested at a young age, with his first known crime occurring when he was only ten years old. Veerappan was involved in the killing of a fellow tusker and assisted in the murder of three officials who tried to intervene. His criminal activities escalated over the years, leading to his first arrest in 1972.
One of the most infamous incidents associated with Veerappan was the kidnapping of renowned actor Rajkumar. The actor was held captive by Veerappan for 108 days at a farmhouse retreat before being released. The incident captured national attention and further solidified Veerappan's reputation as a ruthless criminal.
Veerappan's reign of terror came to an end in 2004 when he was killed by the Tamil Nadu Special Task Force after a relentless hunt. The special task force, assigned by the Tamil Nadu Police, launched Operation Cocoon to track down and apprehend Veerappan. The operation resulted in the deaths of three of Veerappan's gang members and injuries to several officers. It was one of the most expensive government operations in Indian history, costing officials over 1 billion rupees.
Veerappan's personal life was intertwined with his criminal activities. He was married to Muthulakshm, who actively aided and abetted her husband's criminal endeavors as a member of his gang. The couple had two daughters together, who remained in the region and pursued engineering studies. Tragically, Muthulakshm was killed by the state later that year, further cementing the violent legacy of the Veerappan family.
Veerappan's criminal exploits and reign of terror left a lasting impact on the social and political landscape of India. His activities not only contributed to significant loss of life and resources but also highlighted the challenges of combating organized crime and terrorism in the region. Despite his demise, Veerappan's legacy continues to be a dark chapter in Indian history, serving as a cautionary tale of the destructive power of criminality and violence.
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