COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ARCHIVES

No let-down in hunt for Veerappan

The Tamil Nadu government on Monday asserted that the Special Task Forces would intensify the hunt for sandalwood smuggler Veerappan.

An official statement denied reports in a section of the press that there was a let-up in the STF's efforts to capture the criminal. The operation would not be halted in anticipation of the smuggler's surrender, the statement said.

In an indirect reference to Nakkeeran editor R Gopal, who has just returned to Madras after meeting Veerappan, the statement said the government was aware of the personal efforts made by certain individuals to facilitate his surrender. But these individuals did not have the government's permission, it added.

Veerappan, the statement said, could surrender before Inspector General of Police V Kalimuthu who heads the joint command of the STFs -- of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka -- or the collectors of Coimbatore or Erode districts.

Meanwhile, Gopal has sought an appointment with Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, sources said.

UNI

EARLIER REPORT:
Joint command set up to nab Veerappan

Tell us what you think of this report