MYSORE, AUGUST 10: The forest gets more hostile as you go deeper into it. Narrow roads turn into narrower pathways, thick weeds and shrubs open into deep gorges. As we go looking for Veerappan's hideout, trouble is lurking all around.The route passes through the centuries-old Kumbeshwara temple. Getting to that point is not easy. The path is well-guarded and a tribal will warn you as soon as you near the place to stay away; that this is a dangerous path. Ask why, he will only say: ``This is an area infested by wild animals''. The 13-km Igallur-Hasanur forest path has hordes of elephants and bisons.The tribal is so frightened that he physically tries to stop us. We move on. And reach a point where one hill rolls into another. This is the thick forest range between Igallur and Hasanur, surrounded by tribal settlements.While moving towards Hasanur, despite the advice of the STF and locals, we saw a person rushing inside the forest on seeing our vehicle approaching. A little ahead, three men who said they were from the Nakkeeran weekly, also advised us against going any deeper into the Hasanur forest range.One hour on, the roads disappear and it is largely boulders and huge ditches and vegetation. A few kilometers drive on a makeshift road (paved after clearing the fallen branches and other debris) finally leads us to a small bridge.Under the bridge is where we find it: Burnt firewood and fresh footprints. The space below the bridge can accommodate around 15 persons. There are three temporary sheds made of bamboo, a small area for cooking, mineral bottles, tea pouches, and fresh footprints.The food packets and tea packets had been hurriedly left behind. The cooking place near the hut was almost next to the bridge which had fresh water supply. A bamboo pole had been slashed and inserted into a water hole on a small rock which made it a perennial source of water.The spot gives you a panoramic view of the whole forest range. A clear advantage for anyone hiding in this spot. The place is safe as the steep climb prevents wild elephants from taking the path. We suddenly saw three people on an adjacent hill. They stared unresponsively as we waved and shouted.It is certain. India's most wanted man was here just hours ago with the film star he kidnapped. He's quick on his feet. Those who traced him are not.From this point, the path is lost as the place is slushy. There were no further footsteps on the road. Veerappan may have taken the hostages from this point through the forest thickets.Two kilometers down, the route is full of rubble and opens into the Sathyamangalam route. This is the point from where the Nakkeeran reporter is said to have collected the cassette from Veerappan.After coming out of the forest, some Special Task Force men tell us the whole area has had no human interference for the past eight months.
