Pic: Dr Mazhar Nawaz, Chairman, Aryan Education Academy, Mr Hamza Hussain Additional SP with Author Mr Vijay Kumar, IPS
Shri G Prameshwar, Hon Home Minister of Karnataka Released the book ‘ Veerappan Chasing The Brigand” written by Vijay Kumar at J W Marriott on 31 March 2017.
Almost 13 years after his elimination, the story of the killing of forest brigand Veerappan is being chronicled, none other than by the person who led the ‘Operation Cocoon’.
At the launch of book ‘ Veerappan – Chasing The Brigand’ by Retired IPS officer K Vijay Kumar said, Veerappan, who had ruled 6,000 sq km forest in three Southern states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala for more than two decades, poached over 200 elephants, smuggled ivory worth hundreds of crore of rupees and killed more than 180 people, mostly police and forest officials.
Shri Vijay Kumar said “It is a first-hand experience book. My aim is to give a clear and correct picture on how Veerapan was killed,” My book is a real story. I have not revealed the names of a few persons due to security reasons. Otherwise, every details of the operation are being chronicled,”
As per reports, the ‘Operation Cocoon’ was planned for ten months during which STF personnel infiltrated as hawkers, masons and local service staff in the villages where Veerappan was roaming. The day he was killed, October 18, 2004, Veerapan was planning to take a medical treatment for his eye in South Arcot. Veerapan was first escorted out of the forest to the ambulance stationed at Papirappati village in Dharmapuri district, which was a police vehicle, by one of the policeman who earlier infiltrated his gang. A group of STF members was stationed in the village, a few security men were hiding in security tankers in the road and others were hiding in the bushes.
The driver of the ambulance, who was also a policeman, made an escape. As per police report, Veerappan and his gang were first warned and then asked to surrender, which was denied and the gang started firing at the STF personnel.
The STF retaliated by firing grenades and gun fire. Veerappan was killed on the spot, while his gangmen died on the ambulance taking them to the government hospital.
Dr Mazhar Nawaz, Chairman, Aryan Education Academy, Mr Hamza Hussain, Additional SP congratulated Mr Vijay Kumar for writing interesting & Inspiring book. The Book launch function was attended by Eminent police officers, politicians and educationists of the city.
