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A
STATUS REPORT ON THE TASK FORCE CONSTITUTED
TO NAB THE NOTORIOUS KILLER VEERAPPAN
AND HIS ASSOCIATES
 2.
TERRAIN: Veerappan
operates in the forests and hills connecting the Western
ghats and Eastern ghats, mainly on the border between
Tamilnadu and Karnataka stretching over a vast area of
over 18,000 Sq. Kms, involving 4 Districts of Tamilnadu
viz. Dharmapuri, Salem, Erode and the Nilgiris, and 5
Districts of Karnataka viz. Bangalore (Rural), Mandya,
Chamarajanagar, Madikeri and Mysore. The important
forest divisions involved are the reserved forests of
Dankanikotai, Pennagaram, Bargur, Guttiyelathur,
Talamalai and the Nilgiri Eastern Slopes - all in
Tamilnadu; Heggadadevanakote, Bandipura, Biligiri
Rangana Betta, Chamarajanagar, Edeyarahalli,
Mahadeswarana Malai, Chikkailur, Hanur, Dhangur,
Cowdally and Doddasampige - all in Karnataka. The main
river valleys involved in the operational area of
Veerappan are Cauvery Valley from Doddamakali to Mettur,
Palar valley, Gundal valley, Uduthoraihalla valley,
Moyar valley, Suvarnavathi valley, Sanathkumaramadu
valley, Chinnara valley, Bhavani valley and Kapila
valley. Though Veerappan has operated in this vast area,
his activities are mainly concentrated in the Bargur,
Guttiyalathur and Talamalai Reserved Forest in Tamilnadu,
Bandipur, Edeyarhalli and Madeshwaranmalai Reserved
Forest in Karnataka. The entire area is scantily
populated. The forest is mainly dry deciduous to semi
evergreen with a few patches of evergreen. However, the
forest provides enough shelter and water perennially. A
detailed topographical analysis of the entire area is
enclosed as Appendix - B.
3. POPULATION
: The population in the operational area of Veerappan are
mainly Soligas, Irulas, Betta Kurubas, Jenu Kurubas, Mullu Kurubas
(all Scheduled Tribes), Tambadi Lingayaths, Padiyachi Gounders,
Malaivellala Gounders, Vokkaliga Gounders, Kurubas, Parivaras, Shettis,
Lambanis, Gollas and a few professional castes - all belonging to the
backward castes in both Tamilnadu and Karnataka. Most of the tribes
and others inhabiting this area transcend the state border and are
culturally and linguistically homogeneous. Most of these castes and
tribes speak Kannada, both in Karnataka and Tamilnadu, except a few
Padiyachi Gounders and Malai Vellala Gounders who speak only Tamil.
 Of
the total population in the operational area, only Padiyachis and
Lambanis were found to be active supporters of the gang with willing
participation, as it suited their traditional poaching, sandalwood and
timber smuggling activities. A large number of members in the gang in
the past were from these communities. The remaining caste groups have
been used by the gang by coercion and coaxing. Thammadis, though found
in a large number both in Karnataka and Tamilnadu in the operational
area were not found to be willful supporters of the gang, though there
were a few instances wherein they were coerced in working for the
gang. A detail Socialogical Note on the population groups is enclosed
as Appendix - C.
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