Bounty for Tamil Nadu cops for nabbing terrorists

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa Monday announced cash awards for over 250 police personnel involved in nabbing two Al-Umma terrorists in Andhra Pradesh's Puttur town Oct 5 and another terrorist near Chennai.

This was the second time the chief minister was announcing the awards. She had earlier announced cash awards and one grade promotion for the police team that arrested the terrorists Oct 8, but that announcement created heartburn among some other policemen who too were involved in the arrest of the terrorists.

Jayalalithaa announced Rs.500,000 cash award for police inspector Veerakumar for apprehending Fakruddin, wanted for allegedly planting a "pipe bomb" in Madurai when BJP leader L.K. Advani was touring the state.

Fakruddin was arrested near Chennai Oct 4, a day before two terrorists were nabbed from Andhra Pradesh following a shoot-out.

The chief minister announced a Rs.500,000 award for policemen M. Vijayaperumal and K. Mariappan for bringing out the two terrorists -- Panna Ismail and Bilal Malik -- holed up in Puttur, around 30 km from the famous Hindu shrine of Tirupati, after an over 10-hour standoff.

Police personnel Radhika, S. Ramamurthy and B. Pandarinathan will get Rs.200,000 each.

In addition 245 police personnel will be awarded Rs.100,000 each for their contribution in the case.

All the three arrested terrorists are alleged to be involved in the murder of Hindu Munnani leader S. Vellaiyappan and BJP leader V. Ramesh.