Bengaluru: Former Tamil Nadu STF chief K. Vijaykumar’s book ‘Veerappan: Chasing the Brigand’ has opened a Pandora’s box on Operation Cocoon, which lasted for more than 10 years and ended on October 18, 2004 with the gunning down of forest brigand Veerappan. During the book launch function in the city on Friday, former Karnataka director general of police and BJP politician Shankar Bidari said, "Vijaykumar has written only 20 per cent about the anti-Veerappan operation. I will now write the sequel, which will cover the rest 80 per cent."
He recalled that he and some other officers were targeted for human rights violation. "The truth is with us. We didn't commit any excesses. In fact, several of our STF officers were victims of human rights violation. I stood by my officers and team because without them operation against Veerappan would not have been possible," he added. Speaking about the book, Vijaykumar revealed that Veerappan was a worthy adversary, though notorious, and he couldn’t have ever caught him alive. “I had a picture of him at my desk and I never hated him. I never diminished him. Though we gave him two fighting chances to be caught alive, I doubt we could have.” Nearly Rs 800 crore was spent for the operation that cost many lives.
Police lack expertise: Dr G Parameshwar
In his address Home Minister G. Parameshwar said the police lack the expertise required to tackle another Veerappan. "Police training is not adequate to deal with outlaws like Veerappan," he added. The Minister urged Bidari to write a book providing the perspective of Karnataka STF.
