Bangalore: After its successful "operation cocoon" in gunning down notorious jungle outlaw Veerappan, the Special Task Force (STF) has decided against returning to M M Hills in Karnataka to fish out arms, ammunitions and money hidden by the brigand, a top STF official said in Bangalore today (Oct 27, 2004).

"My mandate is over (to end the two decade long elusive run of Veerappan). I am awaiting the Government order (on future assignment). It is for the local police to investigate and follow up these matters". Tamil Nadu DGP, Vijaya Kumar, who led the joint STF operations and killed Veerappan told reporters in Bangalore after being felicitated by Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Asserting that the STF has eliminated the Veerappan gang, Vijaya Kumar said, "I firmly believe that hard core is gone. Small fringes and erstwhile supporters who gave refuge to the bandit may remain. They can be handled by police."

Apparently resenting the speculations in the media on the "STF encounter with Veerappan and his gang", Vijaya Kumar who is the commander of the Joint STF of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, said, "Yes these things have happened with several such operations", but hastened to add the operation cocoon was planned six months ago and intensified in the last two months and "it gave results".

Showering compliments on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, Vijaya Kumar said, "My Chief Minister was very confident. She never mounted pressure on me."

Karnataka STF Chief Jyoti Prakash Mirjee was also honoured on this occasion.