M A I N   N E W S

Veerappan makes fresh demands

CHENNAI, Aug 11 (UNI) — The 13-day hostage crisis involving Kannada matinee idol Rajkumar became complicated today with forest brigand Veerappan making fresh demands most of which were rejected by the Governments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Addressing a joint press conference here, along with his Karnataka counterpart, Mr S.M. Krishna, after a three-hour marathon discussion, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said Veerappan’s fresh demand that the Cauvery water dispute be adjudicated by the International Court of Justice could not be met.

Earlier, the two Chief Ministers viewed the videotape containing the fresh demands, which was brought by government emissary R.R. Gopal.

“Nakkeeran” Editor R.R. Gopal, the emissary of the two governments, who returned here this morning after meeting Veerappan told a crowded news conference that Veerappan had sought certain clarifications and given a deadline of eight days until August 19.

Gopal said Veerappan had not sought either general amnesty or ransom for the release of Rajkumar and others, Gopal said.

Veerappan’s other fresh demands included making Tamil the medium of instruction up to 10th standard and release of five extremists from Tamil Nadu jails.

Mr Karunanidhi said the demand for making Tamil the medium of instruction in schools up to 10th standard was not practical in view of the Madras High Court judgement striking down a government order that made Tamil the medium of instruction up to the fifth standard.

Regarding the release of the five prisoners, he said the state government had already ordered their release. But their actual release and that of the hostages could only be simultaneous.

Karnataka Chief Minister S.M. Krishna said it was an abnormal situation. He said Gopal making contact with the forest brigand and opening up the channels of communication was a very significant development. Some of the demands had to be gone into in detail, he said, adding that the two governments were studying them.

TN ex-minister sentenced

CHENNAI, Aug 11 (PTI) — A special judge today found former AIADMK Minister K. Ponnusamy guilty of amassing unaccounted wealth, sentenced him to rigorous imprisonment for three years and directed the confiscation of pecuniary resources or property to the extent of Rs 77.14 lakh belonging to him.

Also imposing a fine of Rs 1 lakh on the former minister, Special Judge V. Radhakrishnan also found Ponnusamy’s wife Prabhavathi, his daughter, Mala, and his brothers Venkatesan and Rajappa guilty of abetting Ponnusamy in the accumulation of ill-gotten wealth to the tune of Rs 77.49 lakh and sentenced them each to one-year RI and a fine of Rs 10,000.

He, however, suspended the implementation of the sentences of those convicted till September 11 on each furnishing a bond of Rs 10,000, to enable them to appeal against their conviction.

The sentence effectively bars Ponnusamy from contesting elections to the State Assembly or Parliament for six years under the Representation of the People Act.

Besides the former Chief Minister, Jayalalitha, and six former ministers, some IAS officers, state government officials and others have so far been found guilty and convicted by special courts.