Chennai: “When I finally saw him, he was stripped down version of Veerappan, without his famous handlebar moustache,” said former STF chief and retired DGP K Vijay Kumar on Friday in Chennai while launching his book ‘Veerappan chasing the brigand’ in Chennai.
“I saw his diminished version, with two bullets on him as he was being rushed to the hospital. I was kind of sad,” Vijay Kumar, now serving as senior security advisor with the ministry of home affairs, said, during an interactive session conducted by Ramkumar, elder son of late actor Sivaji.
The book was released by M. K. Narayanan, former governor of West Bengal and received by Walter Davaram, former DGP, Tamil Nadu. Vijay Kumar’s mother Kausalya Krishnan also received a copy. The book, was earlier launched in Delhi a week back by home minister Rajnath Singh.
Sandalwood smuggler and forest brigand Veerappan was eliminated by the STF in October 2004 when Vijay Kumar was heading the force. Speaking at the function M. K. Narayanan said that Vijay Kumar has given an honest account of ‘operation cocoon’ in the book. “ He had narrated about agents, double agents, mole and strategic patience, his team had to nab the man. The book is a thriller, added Narayanan.
Davaram, who had also headed STF before Vijay Kumar, noted that it was not easy to search for five people in 4,000-hectare forest area and explained how difficult it was chasing Veerappan in the thick forest.
During the interaction, Vijay Kumar had also talked about his take on astrology as his book had Veerappan’s horoscope printed on it.
He noted that Veerappan had even offered Rs 25 crore to stop search operation to Sanjay Arora, who was then part of STF. Sanjay Arora never took the offer.
When asked about the kidnap of Kannada actor Rajkumar and reported exchange of ransom to secure his release, Vijay Kumar said he was not sure about it, but there were reports about increased circulation of '500 notes in the villages.
