New Delhi: Karnataka on March 11 said forest brigand Veerappan has been
surrounded "like never before" and expressed hope that special task force (STF)
would nab him soon.
"Veerappan gang now consists of just three or four. Many of his aides have been
arrested by the STF which is aggressively in his pursuit and surrounded him like
never before," Karnataka Home Minister Mallikarjun Kharge told
reporters.
He said the joint task force has thrown a tight dragnet around MM Hills, where the
brigand is believed to be holed up, and was engaged in intensive combing
operations.
On whether Karnataka has sought additional force from the Centre for the operation,
he said, "Since Tamil Nadu and Karnataka STF are doing a good job we haven't felt
the need. But the Centre has promised support if we needed."
Ruling out a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) enquiry into the "mysterious"
death of former minister Nagappa after he was kidnapped by Veerappan, he said, "We
have already appointed a judicial committee which is looking into it."
"The committee is expected to submit a report within three months," he said.
PTI
