Heroes who attained martyrdom fighting Veerappan remembered

While the country is gearing up for the 71st Independence day celebrations, it was a day of mourning for a few families belonging to martyred policemen.

Superintendent of Police T Harikrishna, PSI Shakeel Ahmed, ASI Benagonda, K M Appachchu, Kalappa, Sundar and others had lost their lives during the operation against forest brigand Veerappan on August 14, 1992, at Hanur. They were shot dead by Veerappan and his associates.

Harikrishna’s wife Preetha and daughter Prathima Vinay visited the spot and paid floral tributes to the memorial constructed at the site. Retired ACP B B Ashok Kumar, who was part of the operation, narrated the incident to the family members.

A memorial was constructed at the spot where the police personnel were found dead. The day is being observed as the Martyr’s Day, since August 14, 2014.