Brigand sighted, STF steps up vigil

Police said Joseph also guided the gang in the strategies to be adopted after Nagappa’s abduction. He, along with another accused Selvam, had collected information on Minister for Agro Foods A. Rajugowda, also on Veerappan’s kidnap list.

DGP T. Madiyal said in Bangalore the joint STFs of Karnataka and TN have launched an intensive combing operation in and around Konanakere in the Ponnachi forest area since Wednesday night.

A huge STF contingent moved into Ponnachi, Talabetta and Konnanakere forest, following a chance sighting of Veerappan. Talabetta villagers confirmed hearing bullet shots around midnight. Venkategowda of Hanur claimed there were bullet marks suggesting Veerappan’s men and STF had exchanged fire in the Talabetta-Konnanakere range.

Denying any such encounter, Madiyal said the police had used ‘‘illumination pistols’’ to emit light. Home Minister Mallikarjun Kharge, too, denied any encounter.