'I dedicate this success to the nation'

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">COIMBATORE: "We''ve already achieved physical domination of the Veerappan infested areas. We''re now waiting for intelligence domination. It could happen anytime." <br /><br />This is what Tamil Nadu STF ADGP K Vijayakumar said when he first reached Sathyamangalam after the AIADMK Government headed by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa came to power in the last Assembly elections.<br /><br />"My words will have no meaning, in fact, I would only be indulging in a self-encomium, if I talk to you about Veerappan any more without achieving any solid results. It means catching or killing him. Nothing less, nothing more, but, I''m working tirelessly," he had said once. <br /><br />Vijayakumar, was destined to get Veerappan. Or rather Veerappan was destined to fall into the hands of Vijayakumar. Otherwise, there''s no reason why Vijayakumar was ''shunted back'' to STF and Sathyamantgalam from his top job. <br /><br />Vijayakumar''s experience shows hard work by itself will bring in results. Excerpts from the interview: <br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Congratulations Mr.Vijayakumar. You did it!</span><br /><br />Thank you. In fact, I need to congratulate your astrologer who predicted Veerappan''s downfall.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">You''re talking about the story we put out sometime back wherein the astrologer predicted that Veerappan wouldn''t live to see his next birthday?</span><br /><br />Yes, very much. In fact, he''d predicted that we''d get Veerappan between May 5 and 12.<br /><br /><br /></div> </div><div class="section2"><div class="Normal"><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Why it didn''t happen?</span><br /><br />It should''ve happened. During that period, we''re pretty close to Veerappan. We''re trying to push him from the Eastern side of Western Ghats to the West. That is into the forests adjoining Nilgiris. But, due to some intelligence certain reasons, it didn''t come through. It''s a golden chance we missed. However, God has been kind enough to give us another chance, which we exploited to the core.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">How did the whole thing happen? Can you share some information with our readers?</span><br /><br />It''s an intelligence-based operation. We''d been tracking Veerappan''s movements for the last six months. And, yesterday, we''d solid information that he''d be coming in a vehicle. Hence, when we confronted Veerappan and his gang, we''re well prepared, properly armed, and well entrenched. Since we''re expecting him on a particular route, till such time we spotted his gang, we''re really worried whether he would change the route. But, as luck would''ve it, he didn''t.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Did he come in a vehicle?</span><br /><br />Yes, four of them, Veerappan, Chandra Gounder, Sethukkuli Govindan, and Sethumani were coming in a tempo-traveller. Actually, our people were waiting for their arrival. The moment the vehicle was cited, it''s intercepted and then came the firing. <br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Is there any casualty on STF side?</span><br /><br />Nothing. Since we''re well prepared for this operation, our people sustained only very minor injuries.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Whom will you dedicate this success?</span><br /><br />I dedicate the whole success to my fellowmen – the whole STF team who''ve been struggling with ups and downs. I dedicate the whole success to my countrymen. I also really appreciate Senthamaraikannan (TN STF SP) for his superior intelligence networking, which got fructified.<br /><br /><br /></div> </div><div class="section3"><div class="Normal"><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">You must be a happy man now?</span><br /><br />Of course, I''m. When I got transferred back to STF, for six months, I''ve been struggling at Sathyamangalam. I knew in the first six months, nothing major could be achieved. I knew it''d take some time before the intelligence really started working. I left my family behind, braved criticism, faced lots of setbacks and went through frustrating periods. But, the whole trouble I endured in the past now stands negated by the sweeteness of this victory. Yes, I''m happy. <br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Now do you believe in astrology?</span><br /><br />Your astrologer predicted it all right. But, I''ll tell you something. My astrologer also told me the same thing. He told me that I would get Veerappan and his gang before 26th of this month. He repeated his words even two days back when I met him. Call it a superstition or whatever – both the astrologers'' predictions have come true. <br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">How many STF men were involved in the operation?</span><br /><br />Around 20 to 30 of our men were on the spot. There''re many others who worked behind the scene who supported the operation in various forms.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Was the Karnataka STF involved in the operation?</span><br /><br />Yes. It''s a joint operation. We''d their support, intelligence input, and also good wishes. <br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Veerappan carried a hefty sum on his head. Who''ll get this money? TN STF men and Karnataka STF men?</span><br /><br />I can''t answer this question at present; because, it''s for the Government to decide it. Yes, from our side, we''ll give a full-fledged report to the government giving the details of the operation. </div> </div>