Nakkeeran editor makes contact with Veerappan

Nakkeeran editor makes contact with Veerappan
UNITED NEWS OF INDIA

Chennai, August 3: Nakkeeran editor and emissary of the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Governments R R Gopal has achieved progress in his mission to secure the release of Kannada matinee idol Dr Rajkumar and three others held hostage by Veerappan by establishing contact with the fugitive's aides last night.

According to Nakkeeran sources here, Gopal had informed his office on Wednesday night and on Thursday morning that Veerappan's men had contacted him last night. Preparations were on to begin the next leg of trekking into the forest, the sources quoted the magazine editor as saying.

Gopal is likely to resume his journey late this evening, once the heavy rains in the area stops, the sources added.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu director general of police F C Sharma told newsmen here that Gopal was stuck in the Thalavadi forest area following heavy downpour according to reports received at 0800 hrs.

"As per available information, Gopal has reached the fringe of the reserved forest. However, because of heavy rain, he was not able to go into the forest. He is expected to make an effort to establish contact as soon as the rain stops", Sharma said in a press note.

"Since the movement within the forest has to be entirely on foot, it might take some time before further information in this regard is available", he added.

To a question, the DGP said no time-limit could be set for securing the release of the hostages through negotiations.

The emissary should first know the demands of the brigand, convey the same to the two governments and get back to strike a deal. Securing the safe release of Dr Rajkumar and others was the priority of Gopal's mission, he said.

He dismissed as hypothetical a question whether Veerappan would be given general amnesty.

On whether police intelligence personnel were keeping in touch with Gopal, Sharma, replying in the negative, said the editor was operating on his own and did not like to be disturbed.

Sharma said Karnataka inspector general of police K R Srinivas was here to work in close coordination with the state police. There was no contingency plan to secure the release, he said answering a question.

Asked whether the police would be given permission to Tamil filmstar Rajnikanth, who had offered to go into the forest, Sharma, amidst laughter, said no permission was required, making light of the offer.

Right now, Gopal had gone as an emissary of the two governments and it was better to leave things to him, he added.

According to latest information, the strength of Veerappan's gang was estimated to be around 16 members, he said.