MYSORE, August 7: The family of Raju, one of the nine hostages taken by forest brigand Veerappan, are joyous about his release. Tamil Nadu government emissary R R Gopal secured Raju's release. DFO Brijesh Kumar Dikshit conveyed the good news to the forester's family, living in a modest house near Kollegal. Raju had been suffering from suspected amoebic dysentry, and it is thought that Veerappan may have agreed to set him free as the medicines he had bought from a druggist near Bylur proved ineffective. At least two of the other hostages are known to be ailing, and authorities are hoping the outlaw is aware that he needs to take care of them to improve his bargaining power.

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