‘It could create new Veerappans’

The move by President A P J Kalam to grant pardon to four Veerappan associates, convicted in the 1993 landmine blast case, could well encourage ‘‘new Veerappan-like elements’’ in the state, says senior Tamil Nadu police officials who played a key role in killing the forest bandit.

‘‘Granting pardon to the four involved in the landmine blast, particularly in the wake of reports that Naxalites are on the move (from AP to TN), would encourage new elements,’’ said Senthamarai Kannan, SP, Tiruchirapalli, who played a crucial role in Operation Cocoon on October 18, that killed Veerappan. ‘‘Veerappan was a criminal and he was killed. This should be a lesson to all those aspiring to be like him,’’ he added.