K. Vijay Kumar documents life of Veerappan

Senior Security Adviser in the Ministry of Home Affairs and former Director-General of Police K. Vijay Kumar, who spearheaded the operation against dreaded brigand Veerappan, said former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa was one of the excellent bosses he had worked with.

Speaking at the launch of his book ‘Veerappan – Chasing the brigand’ here on Friday, he said Jayalalithaa gave complete autonomy to work and never questioned when the Special Task Force would accomplish its mission. “This book is dedicated to Jayalalithaa and the search teams,” he said.

Parrying questions on the identity of sources or persons involved in the final sequences leading to the gunning down of Veerappan and his associates, Mr. Vijay Kumar said it was a poignant moment when he finally saw the forest brigand, who looked like a “diluted version” of the original.

“The trademark moustache was trimmed. It appeared that he was breathing his last after taking two bullets. We did our best to save him though the chances were bleak.”

To question on whether an astrological chart of Veerappan helped in the operation, the former DGP said he had little belief in astrology. But the STF did try to meet an astrologer in the area who was known to make some precise predictions. On the allegations that money was paid to Veerappan for releasing Kannada actor Rajkumar, Mr. Vijay Kumar said the circulation of ₹500 denomination notes was noticed in small markets in Salem, Erode and other areas after the release of the actor.

“Commercially, there was a boost there…it is a matter of speculation which is reasonable because there could have been something.”

Team effort

Asked how he felt when people referred to him as Veerappan Vijay Kumar though he held various important posts, including Inspector-General of Police (Operations), Jammu & Kashmir, Director, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, Hyderabad, and DG of Central Reserve Police Force, he said the success of Veerappan operation belonged more to the team than to him.

Former West Bengal Governor M.K. Narayanan, former DGP of Tamil Nadu Walter Davaram, who first led the STF, spoke. Senior officers and men who were part of the operation against Veerappan were also present on the occasion. The book brought out by Rupa Publications India traces the dramatic rise of Veerappan from a small-time poacher and sandalwood smuggler to a brutal fugitive who held three States to ransom for two decades.