M A I N   N E W S

Gopal returns empty-handed

CHENNAI, Sept 6 (UNI) — With official emissary R. R. Gopal sent back by forest brigand Veerappan with the message that he would free Dr Rajkumar and three others only if the 121 TADA detenues in Karnataka and five extremists in Tamil Nadu were released, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi announced that he would meet his Karnataka counterpart S M Krishna at Bangalore on September 8 to decide on sending Mr Gopal on yet another mission to the forest.

Answering newsmen’s queries on Mr Gopal’s return from the forest this morning, Mr Karunanidhi sought to clarify that as the Nakkeeran Editor had explained, the release of the hostages was being delayed only in the wake of the Supreme Court stay on the release of the detenues.

He said Mr Gopal had prolonged his stay in the forest during his third mission in the hope that the apex court would deliver a favourable verdict at the earliest regarding the release of the detenues and the five extremists. But he had returned as the expected verdict was being delayed.

He said an alternative course of action at this juncture was not called for.

He denied there was difference of opinion between the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka governments on handling the hostage crisis.

Mr Karunanidhi also ruled out an alternative emissary to Mr Gopal to negotiate with the brigand when asked whether advocate Venugopal would be sent to the forests in place of the Editor.

Mr Gopal, who conveyed to the two state governments Veerappan’s stand that Dr Rajkumar would be released only in exchange for the detenues, left for Bangalore this evening to brief Mr Krishna about the situation.

He said the sandalwood smuggler had not placed any fresh demand.

Mr Gopal said the release of the hostages now depended on the apex court ruling on the release of the detenues and the five extremists.

He also said the brigand had told him that he was satisfied with the efforts being made by the two state governments to release the detenues.

Mr Gopal also said he would go to the forests on another mission to secure the release of the hostages if the two state governments wished.

Gopal had left on his latest mission in the wee hours on August 29, expressing confidence that he would bring back the hostages this time.

Gopal was confident as he was armed with official papers showing the action taken by the two governments to set up a joint compensation fund of Rs 10 crore for disbursement to victims of alleged atrocities by police forces during anti-Veerappan operations and the decision to withdraw cases of all those whose release had been sought.

However, he brought back the documents today, as he wanted to hand them over to the bandit only at the time of the hostages’ release, Gopal said.

The journalist also brought back an audio cassette with a message from the captive Kannada star about his well-being addressed to his family and fans. “Rajkumar is being well looked after and he is safe,” he said.

NEW DELHI: The Tamil Nadu Government’s counter affidavit in a case relating to Veerappan’s demand is being given final touches before being filed in the Supreme Court on Thursday or Friday, official sources said on Wednesday.

Confirming the receipt of the affidavit today, the sources said the state government’s counsel was studying it to ensure that it was in proper order.

The state government’s counter affidavit is in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a Delhi-based lawyer challenging its move to release five Tamil extremists on the demand of Veerappan.