Veerappan 2.0 runs amok in southern forests
Saravanan, 45, hails from Unji Korai village in Tamil Nadu and claims he is the "reincarnation" of Veerappan.
Veerappan is dead, but 'Veerappan Version 2.0' is here in the shape of Saravanan Gounder. In the last one year, he has killed six tuskers and plenty of endangered animals for meat and pelt in the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka forests. And the brigand is establishing his base in the thick jungles of Mahadeshwara Hills and Sathyamangala, bordering Karnataka.
Saravanan, 45, hails from Unji Korai village in Tamil Nadu and claims he is the "reincarnation" of Veerappan. Local villagers and forest department staffers of the two states have named him "Veerappan Version 2.0" because his style of operation is similar to that of the late forest brigand who tormented Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Police for over four decades.
There's a difference though. Veerappan operated in over 6,000 sq km of forests spanning Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. Saravanan is yet to reach that mark - his operation is limited to 200 sq kms. Saravanan has seven cases pending against him in Karnataka.
In 2001, Tamil Nadu Police had apprehended him. But after being granted bail, Saravanan jumped the bail and since then has been absconding. "He is good at disappearing in the jungles. He is using tactics similar to those of Veerappan, like hunting animals or ambushing patrol guards," said a senior forest department officer.
Apparently, Saravanan, who leads a gang of 20, rewards his villagers as well. "He instils fear among police informants by causing them injuries. His rising popularity among the villagers has made it difficult for us to track his movements," the officer added.
Though intensive patrolling has led to effective protection of wildlife in the last 10 years, Saravanan is gradually establishing his base. Last month he attacked forest guards in Karnataka near Palar river. Not willing to take any chance, the Karnataka government has despatched a 20-member Special Task Force to Mahadeshwara Hills to apprehend Saravanan.
Karnataka Forest Minister B. Ramanath Rai recently held a meeting of department officials to end Saravanan's menace. "We are confident of nabbing him at the earliest. He is proving to be dangerous," said jurisdictional forest officer V. Murthy who did not divulge details of the operations.
The government has often found it challenging to nab poachers in the forests because of the tough terrain. So, officials are employing unconventional methods to trap him. Saravanan is married to three women from villages bordering the forests and the officials intend to target him when he visits them.