Veerappan hunter pens experiences of brigand chase

Veerappan: Chasing the Brigand by K Vijay Kumar published by Rupa, relives the various incidents that shaped Veerappan’s life - from his birth in Gopinatham in 1952 to his death in 2004 in the shootout in Padi. It traces his dramatic rise from a small-time poacher and sandalwood smuggler to a brutal fugitive who held three states to ransom for two decades. 

The book by the officer who headed the operation against the bandit describes in detail the ruthless killings and high-profile kidnappings masterminded by Veerappan, including the 108-day ordeal involving Kannada superstar Rajkumar. No other bandit in recent times has captured the public’s imagination as much as Koose Munnasamy Veerappan. Be it his trademark moustache, stories of his daring escapades or his ruthless massacre of officers, Veerappan continues to fascinate, even 13 years after his death. 

Kumar, who headed CRPF from 2010-2012, is currently serving as Senior Security Adviser in the Home Ministry. Veerappan, who ruled over forest areas in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala for more than two decades, poached over 200 elephants, smuggled ivory worth hundreds of crore of rupees and killed more than 180 people, mostly police and forest officials.