M A I N   N E W S

Rajkumar’s release imminent

CHENNAI, Oct 15 (UNI) — A positive news on the release of Kannada film actor Rajkumar and two others held hostage by Veerappan is expected by Sunday night, according to a message sent by ‘’Tamizh Desiya Iyakkam’’ leader P. Nedumaran, who is holding negotiations with the brigand.

In a press statement here on Sunday morning, Tamizh Desiya Iyakkam general secretary Parandhaman said according to information received from Mr Nedumaran, negotiations with the brigand were proceeding without any hitches.

Mr Nedumaran had also asserted in his message that the four official emissaries would definitely free Dr Rajkumar from the clutches of Veerappan.

The key demand of the brigand to set free the hostages was the release of detenus in Karnataka and five extremists in Tamil Nadu.

One of the hostages Mr Nagappa, an assistant film director and a close family friend of Dr Rajkumar, had escaped from the brigand’s captivity.

BANGALORE: Karnataka Chief Minister S.M. Krishna said he had not received any “concrete” information about the release of Kannada matinee idol Rajkumar and two others held hostage by Veerappan since July 30.

He was responding to newspersons query about reports in a section of the press that the release of the hostages was imminent.

Mr Krishna said the state government was keeping in touch with Tamil Nadu. “We have not heard anything”. However, he was optimistic of the early release of the hostages.

He declined to comment when asked if the inclusion of Tamil nationalist and pro-LTTE leader P. Nedumaran and two others in the expanded team of negotiators was with the consent of the Karnataka Government.

“Those questions have already been answered”, he said.

Asked if Rajkumar’s family has gone to Chennai, Mr Krishna said he was not aware of it.

Karnataka Home Minister Mallikarjun Kharge told reporters in Bangalore that talks between the official emissaries and Veerappan were “fruitful” and Rajkumar would be a free man “as early as possible.

“We have informed that talks are fruitful and useful, and Rajkumar will be released as early as possible”, Mr Kharge told PTI.