In a bid to bury the hatchet and move ahead in the joint hunt for forest brigand Veerappan, senior police officers of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka met in Chennai on Friday.

Director General of Tamil Nadu Police B P Nailwal said the discussions went smoothly. Karnataka's security adviser T Srinivasulu and Director General of Police T Madiyal led that state's team.

Nailwal refused to be drawn into a discussion about the controversy surrounding the death of former Karnataka minister H Nagappa in Veerappan's custody. Conspicuous by their absence were the commanders of the Special Task Forces of the two states. Both were out in the forests, reportedly coordinating the joint operations.

Before they met, Union Home Secretary N Gopalaswami spoke to officials from Tamil Nadu. He felt it was for the two states to determine what equipment they need to hunt down the brigand.

Gopalaswami, who reportedly played the facilitator and gave enough hints about the Centre's role and expectations, did not, however, participate in the talks between the two state police chiefs.