Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna today (Dec 22, 2003) said the Government has decided to recruit retired personnel from armed forces who have expertise in jungle warfare to end the elusive run of forest bandit Veerappan.

Speaking after flagging off a rally of retired soldiers in Bangalore, he directed the State's Chief Secretary B S Patil, also an ex-serviceman, to take steps to induct retired Armymen from Maratha light regiment and those who have involved in operations against militancy in North-East region.

Krishna said those personnel who are physically fit to take on the combing operations would be recruited to assist the Special Task Force (STF) in the on-going operations against the jungle outlaw.

He said Veerappan and his associates holed in the M M Hills forest were now on their heels as the STF has cornered him.

Krishna said he would not set any deadline for capturing Veerappan as such declarations made earlier have failed.

Karnataka stepped up operations against the fugitive in the aftermath of slaying of former Minister H Nagappa, who was held hostage by Veerappan.

On this occasion Krishna handed over Rs 3 lakh compensation to families of four soldiers who were killed while defending national security.

Krishna flayed the attitude of some politicians who shed "crocodile tears" without the help of glycerine, but refrained from naming any one.