Karnataka suspends "nab-Veerappan" drive

BANGALORE, Oct 24: Though the Karnataka Government has apparently decided to soft-pedal on Special Task Force (STF) operations to nab the elusive forest brigand Veerappan following the release of six hostages, sources feel the STF is as good as wound up. The State Government will be approaching Tamil Nadu yet again to request indefinite suspension of Tamil Nadu STF operations.

Chief Minister J H Patel had stated that the State would like to wait and give Veerappan another fortnight to announce his decision on the surrender.

The hostages were all praise for the outlaw and are reported to have apprised the Government to go slow on the operations as he had expressed his willingness to surrender on his terms. In a taped message , Veerappan has agreed to surrender before any person deputed by the Government. The tone of his message also indicates Veerappan’s eagerness to come into the mainstream. While the Government was positive about Veerappan’s surrender, the Police Department suspect that this might be another ploy of Veerappan.