Veerappan's aides hanging: Rumour mill abuzz; jail prepares

Bangalore, Feb 18: The hanging of Veerappan's aides will take place soon, after President

rejected their

. Moreover, Hindalga

, located in Belgaum, Karnataka is preparing for the hanging of the four associates of dreaded bandit Veerappan.

Rumour mill is abuzz that the associates of Veerappan will be hanged soon. Many people gathered near the jail, after a rumour spread that the four would be hanged on Sunday, Feb 17.

The jail authorities told media that preparations are on for the hanging of the four men. But jail authorities did not reveal the exact date of hanging."They are all healthy and well aware that they will be hanged soon," said Jail medical officer Dr Vasant Yamakanamaradi.

Media reports say jail in conducting rehearsals of the hanging for the last three-four days. As per rules, convicts should be hanged within 14 days of rejection of mercy petition by the President.

On Wednesday, Feb 13 mercy pleas of sandalwood smuggler Veerappan's four aides, sentenced to death in a 1993 landmine blast case, have been rejected by President Pranab Mukherjee.

They were sentenced to death by Supreme Court in 2004 for their involvement in the Palar blast case in 1993, which killed 21 people.

Palar is in Karnataka and shares border with Tamil Nadu. The blast killed five policemen, 15 police informers and two forest guards.

The four men, Meesaikara Madhaiyan, 65, Simon, 45, Gnanaprakasam, 60, and Bilavendran, 60 were small time farmers, who were roped as informers by Veerappan. Later on they were trained to handle guns and explosives.

From a small-time smuggler to a dreaded dacoit, Koose Muniswamy Veerappan Gounder ruled several villagers and controlled more than 6,000km of forest land covering three states. He was gunned down in October 2004.

OneIndia