New joint strategy to nab Veerappan

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, NOV. 25. Carrying forward their discussions with the Centre on the steps to nab the brigand, Veerappan, officials of the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Governments today concretised a ``new strategy'' and agreed on a ``unified command'' for the Special Task Force (STF) operations.

``We have developed a new strategy,'' the Karnataka DGP, Mr. C. Dinakar, and his Tamil Nadu counterpart, Dr. R. Rajagopalan, told mediapersons emerging from a two-hour meeting here. The Home Secretaries, Mr. M.B. Prakash and Mrs. Shantha Sheela Nair, and other officials participated.

Mr. Dinakar explained that in the light of the recent experience in STF operations, ``it has become necessary to reorient our strategy'', and it was in that context that a new strategy had been decided on. Declining to go into the specifics, he said while men and material assistance had been sought, they were also approaching the Centre for ``logistics support''.

An important decision was to have a ``unified command'' for the STF teams from both States. It would be led by the Tamil Nadu IG, Mr. V. Balachandran, who would be assisted by the Karnataka DIG, Mr. Harsha Vardhan Raju.

On the need for shoring up the local intelligence network and removing past shortcomings, Mr. Dinakar said, ``We have an intelligence machinery (in the forest) and we are re- activating it.''

``You should not judge the future by our past operations,'' he argued. Declining to comment on reports that Veerappan had moved into the Karnataka side of the forest, he said in such ``human efforts'', a timeframe could not be fixed. If a timeframe was to be set, it would be until Veerappan was nabbed.

Both Mr. Dinakar and Mr. Rajagopalan denied any lack of coordination between the STF of both States due to ``ego problems''. It would be a joint campaign, they asserted.

About using satellite imagery to zero in on the brigand's location, Dr. Rajagopalan said such ``matters of detail cannot be disclosed''. What had been projected to the Centre (in discussions with the Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, and the Defence Minister, Mr. George Fernandes) and what was expected could again not be placed in the public domain.

Even as officials from both sides claimed they ``are in constant touch with the emissaries'' to get their inputs, the venue of today's meeting was kept under wraps.

Our Erode Staff Reporter writes:

The STF personnel and commandos have been divided into six groups and deputed for combing vulnerable points in the Thalawady, Thalamalai, Kadambur and Bargur forests.

The STF has asked the tribals not to enter the forest and requested information about the movements of Veerappan and his gang. It announced ``attractive cash prizes'' to those providing information.

Meanwhile, increased security has been provided to the AIADMK MP from Gobichettipalayam, Mr. K.K. Kaliappan, following a kidnap threat from the Veerappan gang.

A gunman has been provided to him and police personnel with sophisticated weapons have been posted at his house at Kaliyur, on the foothills of the Kadambur forest.

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Section  : National
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