Hundreds of villagers from the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu borders congregated in Martahalli, held special prayers and took out a silent march urging the President and Supreme Court to pardon the four Veerappan aides.
The Supreme Court’s extension of the execution brought relief to the protestors who pleaded for permanent relief.
People from all walks of life expressed their solidarity with the four accused convicted in the Palar landmine blast case that killed 22 policemen in 1992.
The Catholic Association, Hanur Tamil Sangam, residents of border villages, human rights activists and others plan to hold mammoth rallies in Hanur and Kollegal and submit memoranda to the President and the Chief Justice of India.
The victims families too participated in the protest.
Rev Fr Santiago said that the President should drop the death penalty as the accused have served 20 years in jail.
Vintha Mary, daughter of Jnana Prakash, said that the Supreme Court stay has brought some relief and that justice should be meted out to innocents accused in false cases.
Social worker Vishnu Kumar said that a few police officers booked false cases against the four under TADA.
Tamil Nadu Dalit Liberation Front chief Sangotan called for peaceful protests to sway the court.