STF closing in on Veerappan?

By G. Prabhakaran

SIRUVANI (PALAKKAD), JAN. 23. The 1,000-member strong Special Task Force (STF) is understood to be closing in on forest brigand Veerappan and his gang in the Velliyankiri-Siruvani forests on the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border after they had reportedly spotted the movement of the gang in the area in an aerial surveillance the other day. STF sources said the gang has now split into three small groups and is on the move only at night.

The STF team leader, Mr. Balachandran, IG, Mr. Tamil Selvan, DIG, and other top officials of the task force visited Siruvani today and took note of the security arrangements made by the Kerala police to prevent the entry of the gang to the State. Since 15 special teams of the STF are engaged in combing operations in the Tamil Nadu forest area adjacent to the Muthikulam-Siruvani forests, it is likely that Veerappan would try to escape through the Kerala forests.

Top officials of the STF today held discussions with the Palakkad SP, Mr. Tomin J. Thachankery, on the arrangements made on the Kerala side. The STF is of the view that the gang is somewhere near the Velliyankiri forests adjacent to the Siruvani-Muthikulam forests of the Attappadi Reserve Forest area of Kerala.

Mr. Thachankery told The Hindu that the STF is of the view that the safest route for Veerappan to Parapetti and then to Walayar on the inter-State border is the Siruvani forests. According to the STF, since half-a-dozen sandalwood factories are located in the Walayar area, Veerappan has contacts in the area. The sandal oil extraction units at Walayar get sandalwood from the Salem and Sathyamangalam forests. And the Veerappan gang has been the main supplier.

Another safe route for Veerappan could be the Nilgiri forests, then Mulli in the Attappadi forests and from there to Sirvuvani or the Walayar forests in Palakkad. The thick evergreen forests of the area and the difficult terrain with wild animals, particularly elephants, act as a safe hideout for Veerappan.

A team of the Kerala police and forest officials is camping at Keralamedu in Sirvuvani. The SP said the duty of the Kerala police is to prevent the escape of the Veerappan gang through the Kerala forests. The STF has expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made by the Kerala police in the Siruvani area.

A team of police officials led by the Pattambi Circle Inspector, Mr. Viswanathan, is camping in the Siruvani Dam area and a team is positioned on top of the Keralamedu Hills. They are equipped with sophisticated weapons and night vision binoculars.

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Section  : Southern States
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