New Delhi: Lauding the killing of forest brigand and notorious sandalwood smuggler Veerappan, the Centre today (Oct 19, 2004) said with his death the symbol of "unlawfulness" has been eliminated.

"We appreciate the action taken. He (Veerappan) symbolised unlawfulness and with this (killing), the symbol has also been eliminated," Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil said in New Delhi.

He said Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Central Forces had initiated action and the Government appreciates their achievement.

Asked how the Government was planning to deal with rest of the Veerappan's associates, Patil said it was not an issue of killing them but rather arresting and putting them behind jails.

"The process is already on and we will provide them whatever Central assistance, they want," Patil added.