By Our Staff Reporter

ERODE, JUNE 4. The Tamil Nadu Tribal People's Association has opposed the appointment of Mr. W. I. Dawaram, retired DGP, to lead the STF to nab the forest brigand, Veerappan.

In a memorandum to the Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalitha, today, the association said that some years ago, when Mr. Dawaram was leading the STF, several cases of human rights violation were reported.

Many women complained of being harassed and molested by the personnel. A number of cases against the STF were pending with the Human Rights Commission and the Justice Sadhasiva Commission.

Urging the Chief Minister to revoke the appointment of Mr. Dawaram, the association said the tribals would provide cooperation to nab Veerappan.

For the past several years, tribals have dedicated their life to the preservation of forests. But, of late, they are being harassed by the plains people, the memorandum said, adding that the tribals' land was acquired or encroached upon by plains people.

Hence, the association wanted the Chief Minister to ban the purchase of tribals' land by plains people.

Congratulating Ms. Jayalalitha on becoming the Chief Minister, the memorandum thanked her for having given Cabinet berth to Mrs. Saroja, an ST member.