CHENNAI, August 6: R R Gopal, government emissary to Veerappan, the forest brigand, is back in the city with one hostage freed by the outlaw. The elusive sandalwood smuggler, who still holds eight Karnataka Forest Department personnel captive, has set a new deadline for their release, subject to government granting him general amnesty. Veerappan has threatened to execute the hostages if his demands are not met within 10 days from August 5. Gopal, Editor of Tamil magazine `Nakkeran', said the brigand had rejected the offer of the governments of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka that his security would be guaranteed and that all cases pertaining to him would be transferred from Karnataka to TN. The hostage who was released is a forest guard, Raju, who is sick and badly in need of treatment.

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