The Hindu : Hunt for Veerappan intensified

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Sep 08, 2002

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Hunt for Veerappan intensified

By Our Staff Correspondent

RAMAPURA (CHAMARAJANAGAR DT.) SEPT. 7. On definite clues that the forest brigand, Veerappan, is holed up in the forests adjoining Dinahalli, the Special Task Force (STF) of Karnataka intensified operations this morning amid protests from family members and supporters of the abducted former Karnataka Minister, Nagappa.

In a swift move on Friday evening, a large number of STF personnel were moved from different locations to Ramapura to prepare for the operations against the brigand. Personnel started moving towards the Dinahalli forest area late on Friday night after a briefing by top officers, including the Director-General of Police, V.V. Bhaskar, and the Inspector-General, Kempaiah, here.

The operation has assumed significance in the light of personnel from the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka STFs joining hands. At least 1,500 personnel have been deployed in the area.The move to surround the hideout was taken after observing the movements of the Veerappan gang over the past three days. According to a top officer of the STF, the brigand is believed to be hiding with his captive at Kalmatturpatti near Hoogyam on the Tamil Nadu border. Personnel have been deployed at strategic locations , and a large crack team of STF has begun combing operations. NSG commandos are expected to join the operations tomorrow.

An officer said that three helicopters had been kept ready to evacuate injured personnel or rescue Mr. Nagappa if the need arose. Two ambulances had been stationed at the Ramapura police station.

On Friday night, soon after a heavy movement of vehicles was witnessed by the villagers of Hanur, Kamagere and Bandalli, supporters of Mr. Nagappa gathered in front of the Ramapura police station and appealed against launching an offensive against the brigand as that could endanger the life of their leader.

Even as the crowd gathered around 11 p.m., Mr. Nagappa's wife, Parimala Nagappa, who reached Ramapura from her residence at Kamagere, told the top officers that the operation could affect the possibility of the safe release of her husband.

The protesters calmed down only after Mr. Kempaiah assured them that Mr. Nagappa would be safely brought to Ramapura by 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Meanwhile, small groups of Nagappa supporters have entered the forests in an effort to rescue their leader, despite the heavy police presence.

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