BANGALORE, July 14: In a dramatic climbdown seemingly prompted by the kidnapping of nine forest department officials, the Karnataka government today agreed to the dreaded forest bandit Veerappan's condition to protect his life and pave the way for his surrender.

A formal message agreeing to his offer of surrender and promising him protection was released to the All India Radio (AIR) and the press.

Karnataka cabinet took the decision after Chief Minister J H Patel secured the concurrence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to the offer of surrender. In the morning, the cabinet met and discussed the situation arising out of the abduction of nine persons - including forest officials, by the members of Veerappan gang from BR Hills forests in Mysore district on Sunday. Veerappan had given a week's time for the Karnataka government to broadcast and publish the message in newspapers, otherwise threatening to kill the hostages.

Chief Minister J H Patel made it clear earlier that the government would concede to the demands only if Veerappan ensured the safe release of persons he was holding as hostages. He said: ``Veerappan is responsible for the lives of the people abducted....he himself should ensure their safe release.'' Soon after he got Veerappan's message, the Chief Minister contacted his Tamil Nadu counterpart over the phone and followed up his action by faxing the message he wanted to broadcast. The text of the message was: ``I have heard the appeal sent by Veerappan. I have contacted Chief Minister Karunanidhi, and discussed the issue with him. Both of us have agreed to provide protection to his life and accept his surrender. Further action will be taken by the government of Tamil Nadu in this regard.'' In his reply, Karunanidhi said he agreed to the message.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka government is deputing its Minister of State for Home, Roshan Baig, to Tamilnadu to hold discussions with the government there on the modalities of facilitating the forest brigand's surrender. Information Minister M C Nanaiah said the message had to be broadcast soon as the government wanted it to be conveyed to the poacher before the deadline. While maintaining that the Karnataka government had not agreed to Veerappan's demands, the Chief Minister said the Tamil Nadu government would mediate, and decide when and where it should facilitate his surrender. In a message broadcast over AIR, the Chief Minister said in Kannada: ``We have not agreed to all his demands. But we have no objection to protecting his life...We will take a decision in consultation with the TN government.''

He said Veerappan would be handed over to the TN govt if he surrendered in Karnataka. Speaking to mediapersons after he had cast his vote in the presidential elections, Patel quipped to a question: ``First let him surrender...later face the consequences.'' Veerappan had, in his cassette, wondered why the Karnataka government was creating a delay when the TN was prepared to accept his offer of surrender.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.