Rain, leeches hamper STF search for Veerappan

Meanwhile, P Kalimuthu, IG (Law and Order) who is also the joint commandant of the STF said that the STF personnel had advanced for about 5-km in Kolathur forest area and hoped to nab the sandalwood smuggler at the earliest.

He said that in all about 800 STF personnel were pressed for the combing operations at several vantage points in Salem, Periyar and Dharmapuri districts.

Kalimuthu pointed out that the STF would act with renewed force than earlier occasions and said that no hardship or problem would be caused to the villagers in the forest area during the combing operations.

He said that he had definite information about persons helping Veerappan and appealed to the villagers to provide positive information about the whereabouts of the brigand.

He held discussions with top police officials including Salem Police Commissioner V Jeganathan, Salem Superintendent of Police Pramodkumar about the modalities for catching Veerappan alive.