Salem (TN): In a major catch, Tamil Nadu police have arrested "Kutti" Veerappan, a close associate of elusive sandalwood smuggler Veerappan, at the hill town of Yercaud near Salem.

Kutti Veerappan, who has several aliases, was wanted by the Special Task Force (STF) personnel set up to nab Veerappan, in connection with a number of murder, poaching and other cases committed over a period of last 10 years, district superintendent of police (SP) Pon Manickavel said.

He was arrested along with another person from the Vasavampatti area of Yercaud on May 21 during a search operation by a special police squad, Manickavel said.

Two country-made guns were recovered from Kutti Veerappan, police said.

Kutti Veerappan, who is also known as Vanaraja, would be handed over to STF custody for interrogation, police said.

Police stumbled on Kutti Veerappan during an intensified search ordered by the SP in view of reports of felling of trees in the area, they said.

He was believed to have been operating separately from Veerappan in recent times after the outlaw came under intense combing operations launched by the STF.

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Kutti Veerappan was detained under the Goondas' Act thrice in the late '80s and early '90s.

PTI