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Krishna draws parallels between Veerappan, Osama

Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna on Monday defended his government's failure to nab Veerappan, saying even the United States could not get hold of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden a year after it launched the attack on Afghanistan.

"Wherever I go, people ask me why the state has not been able to catch Veerappan dead or alive, and why is it so difficult to reach his hideout. My reply or counterpoint to them is you should put the same question to the US and ask why it is so difficult to get Laden though the superpower has all the forces and technology at its command to accomplish the task.

When the mighty US could not know Laden's whereabouts even a year after a massive manhunt was launched, you should appreciate that catching Veerappan is as difficult because of the sheer logistical constraints the state police force faces in his lair," he said.

"Veerappan's territory is spread over a dense forest area of over 18,000 sq km, which is infested with all kinds of fauna, including dangerous wild animals like tigers and leopards, besides rogue elephants.

Moreover, being a vast forest area with no roads or communication network whatsoever, the [Special] Task Force has been finding it impossible to locate Veerappan's hideout..." he said.

"Dwelling in the same forest over the last two decades, Veerappan has mastered the art of hiding and surviving with the knowledge of its topography at the back of his hand," Krishna added.

The chief minister was speaking at the launch of the mobile service of BSNL, CellOne, in the Karnataka circle.

Earlier, Krishna accused the Janata Dal-United of blocking the government's efforts to secure the release of H Nagappa.

He said the rallies being organised by the JD-U, the party to which Nagappa belongs, could scuttle the efforts of the government.

H Nagappa Abduction: Complete coverage
The Abduction of Dr Rajakumar
The Hunt for Veerappan

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