Daijiworld News Network - Mangalore (GA) - pics - Geekay

Mangalore, Jul 28: At last, the Special Task Force (STF) personnel, who toiled in the operation to nab notorious sandalwood smuggler Veerappan, have been rewarded with the prize money.

A special functions was held to present cash award of Rs 77 lac to 33 STF men in the district at KSRP VII Battalion headquarters at Asaigoli near Konaje here on Friday July 28 morning.

KSRP VII battalion chief commandant Krishnappa presented cheques to 33 police personnel who were the part of STF which was deployed to nab Veerappan.  The operation had started in 1993 and 4 commanders, 326 officers, 2161 staff, 102 civilians who had helped in the operation, 53 forest department and BSF staff have been awarded this cash award in the state.

Out of that 33 personnel coming under the district were handed over the cheques on Friday morning.  While those who served STF for 3 or more years have been awarded Rs 3 lac each, those who served for 2-3 years have been awarded with Rs 2 lac each.  Those who served STF for 1-2 years have been awarded Rs 1 lac and those who were in the STF for less than a year have been awarded Rs 50,000 each.

Other than the cash prize, they have been granted an annual promotion and site in their own district.