STF cautions tribals to stay away from Veerappan lair

STF cautions tribals to stay away from Veerappan lair
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

NOV 23: While Special Task Force commandos have intensified their search for Veerappan in the Sathyamangalam forests, tribals and others in nearby villages have been cautioned not to venture into the area now.

This is the first time in a year such an operation has been undertaken to nab the brigand. The move has come following a decision by both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments to send STF personnel into the forests to wipe out the `Veerappan menace' completely, Over 2,000 force personnel have been deployed from both the States.

It is said one of the STF heads, IG Balachandran, has evolved a new strategy to nab the brigand and under his guidelines, DIG Thamizhselvan and SPs Ashokkumardas, Perayayya and Shailendrababu have begun supervising combing operations by different groups of commandos at Bannari, Thalamalai and Thalavadi.

Heavy rains and an increasing chill had made combing operations tough earlier in the week, but since Wednesday morning the task force has been able to sustain their march into the interiors of the forest using sophisticated instruments, including night time binoculars.

The forces are working on the assumption that two gangs led by Veerappan and TNRT leader Maran are based in the forests, and could launch an ambush anytime.

On the Karnataka side, the STF force is combing areas in Pulinjur and other places. With all the publicity surrounding the operation, shepherds and other groups who frequent the forests to collect forest produce and firewood are keeping themselves away. Quarrying in the area too is said to have come to a standstill.

The local police have also intensified their `search' of all vehicles passing through the Sathy and Andhiyur areas. The checkposts have been strengthened in order to intercept any vehicle found moving about in a suspicious manner.

It is said the `Q' branch and STF intelligence squad are camping in and around villages in the forest area to pick up clues about the movements of the Veerappan gangs and their contact persons.

Brigand is small fry: BJP

ERODE: BJP state president S P Krupanidhi has urged the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Governments to effectively use the offer of Central assistance in their operation to nab Veerappan.

He said it was not necessary to deploy the army though. Veerappan is `small fry' who cannot be equated with the terrorists in Punjab, Assam and Kashmir terrorists. The state government forces are enough to nab him.

Krupanidhi also welcomed the resumption of STF operations and chided Thamizhar Desiya Iyyakkam leader P Nedumaran for opposing the drive. He advised Nedumaran not to look at the interests of just Veerappan but to consider the gains of the people of both states.

He said due to the Veerappan menace, people in the Sathy zone were gripped by fear and economic development had come to a standstill. If a sincere effort is made, the governments could easily nab him.