Bangalore: The Karnataka Special Task Force (STF) has intensified its hunt in
Ponnachi forest area on the Karnataka – Tamil Nadu border, following reports about
movement of the Veerappan gang, official sources said.
Combing operations, led by the Karnataka STF chief Jyothiprakash Mirji have been
stepped up in the area since January 29 night, the sources said.
The STFs of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have renewed their offensive against Veerappan
ever since the killing in his custody of state Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader H
Nagappa in a gory end to the kidnap crisis.
The sources said since the operations were in pitch darkness, the STF used
an "illumination pistol" to emit light.
In its efforts to hunt the elusive run of the outlaw, the STF has also been going
all out to woo the tribals in the forests, seeking their help in tracking down
Veerappan.
On January 27, senior officials of STFs of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu had a heart-to-
heart talk with the people of Gopinatham, the native village of Veerappan, telling
them to end the stigma attached to the place by helping them with information that
may lead to his arrest.
PTI
