M A I N   N E W S

Karnataka, TN CMs to meet today
Veerappan sends tape listing demands

CHENNAI, Aug 5 (UNI) —The Chief Ministers of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are meeting here tomorrow to prepare the response to Veerappan’s demands for the release of Kannada filmstar Rajkumar and three more held hostage by him since July 30.

The Tamil Nadu CM, who received an audio tape containing the demands, handed over by an emissary early today, sent a copy of the same to his Karnataka counterpart. Mr K.R. Srinivas, Karnataka IG of Police, who was here to coordinate with the Tamil Nadu police, carried the tape to Mr S.M. Krishna.

The two governments were tight-lipped about the nature of the demands, fuelling speculation that the demands were sensitive.

Mr M. Karunanidhi held a meeting of senior civil and police officials to discuss the demands earlier today. Mr Krishna also held a meeting of his crisis management team in Bangalore.

On previous occasions, Veerappan had demanded general amnesty or transfer of all cases pending against him in Karnataka courts to Tamil Nadu. Both governments had rejected the general amnesty demand then.

Before the audio tape was received, Rajkumar himself had sent a cassette saying he was healthy and urged the two state governments to help Veerappan lead a normal life.

Officials said Nakkeeran Editor R.R. Gopal, emissary of the two governments, was yet to meet the bandit.

Mr Karunanidhi confirmed that Veerappan had spelt out his demands in two separate audio cassettes — to him and to Karnataka Chief Minister S.M. Krishna — and said that he would be discussing it with Mr Krishna when he arrives here tomorrow.

He said Karnataka Inspector-General of Police K.R. Srinivasan had taken one of the cassettes to Mr Krishna.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Director -General of Police F.C. Sharma told mediapersons here that the Special Task Force (STF) had stopped all operations.

Lala Amarnath dead

NEW DELHI, Aug 5 (PTI) — A gutsy allrounder and independent India’s first captain Lala Amarnath, who thrived on his aggressiveness both on and off the field, died in the early hours of today following protracted illness. 

Amarnath, who was to complete 89 years next month, is survived by his wife, three cricketer sons — Surinder, Mohinder and Rajinder — and two daughters. 

Amarnath, who was on liquid diet for the last one month, died in his sleep, his youngest son Rajinder said. The cremation will take place tomorrow. “We are waiting for Surinder and Mohinder to come from Ahmedabad and Mumbai, respectively, to perform the last rites,” Rajinder said. 

Amarnath, who played for India in 24 Tests, including 15 as captain, scored 878 runs at an average of 24.38 and took 45 wickets 1481 runs at an average of 32.91. He was the first to score a century for India in Test cricket and that too on his debut against England at Bombay Gymkhana in 1933.

Obituary