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Karnataka readies for strike against Veerappan

Within days of the release of Kannada thespian Dr Rajakumar from the clutches of Veerappan, the Karnataka government is readying for a major strike against the forest brigand.

The state government has activated the Special Task Force to nab the sandalwood smuggler, top police sources said.

The STF personnel, who were recalled to the barracks a day after Veerappan abducted Dr Rajakumar from his Gajanur farm house on July 30, have already moved back to 17 base camps bordering Tamil Nadu, the sources said.

Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna told reporters his government would consult the opposition leaders on Monday before going ahead with any action against Veerappan.

"Tomorrow evening I am meeting the leaders of the opposition and the day after we will be making a statement on the floor of the House," Krishan said.

Asked if his government wanted the Centre to play a key role in nabbing the bandit, Krishna replied: "You will find the answers to all these questions when I make the statement."

The Union government has already expressed its readiness to assist the governments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu in nabbing Veerapan.

"The Union government has always been ready to provide any assistance required by them and the same position holds true now," Union Home Minister L K Advani said in Bombay on Saturday.

Krishna had in an interview to an English weekly recently asserted that nabbing Veerappan "is an achievable target."

Tamil National Movement leader P Nedumaran, who played a key role in securing Dr Rajakumar's release, has, however, opposed resumption of operations to nab Veerappan until tribal victims of alleged atrocities during previous STF operations were duly compensated and the perpetrators brought to book.

PTI

The Rajakumar Abduction: complete coverage
The saga of Veerappan

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