COIMBATORE, Nov 11: Joint Commandant of the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Special Task Force (STF) and IGP Kalimuthu said that the STF has entered the forests to nab Veerappan.

Kalimuthu was speaking during a brief stop-over at Coimbatore airport, on his way to Mettur from Chennai on Monday. ``We have begun operations from all sides of the forest to nab the poacher. I am rushing to Mettur to co-ordinate the operations,'' he said, ending all speculations regarding the delay in the STF launching combing operations against Veerappan.

He said the STF has taken vantage positions in the Padayachi Gounder belt, Veerappan's domain. Refusing to divulge the details of the operations, the Joint Commandant said that it is premature to make any conclusions and said he would apprise the media of the developments on November 18, when he is scheduled to arrive here to meet the Chief Minister.

STF sources who accompanied the Joint Commandant said that STF personnel are in a state of readiness in Hasanur, Thimbam, Bannari, Sathy, TN Palayam, Kadambur, Andhiyur, Bargur, Tamarakkarai, Tattakkarai, Mettur, Kolathur in Tamil Nadu and in Palar, MM Hills and Nal Road junction.

Meanwhile, reports quoting official sources say that DIG of Karnataka STF Harshavardhan Raju, former Deputy Inspector General of the STF, Shankar Bidri (presently DIG Intelligence, Bangalore) and SP of Tamil Nadu STF Ratanraj are expected to arrive at Mettur.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.