Amnesty may be outlaw's main demand

Amnesty may be outlaw's main demand
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

AUGUST 4: Abducted Kannada thespian Rajkumar has asked the government to allow forest bandit Veerappan to lead a normal life, hinting that amnesty could be the outlaw's main demand to end the hostage drama.

"Why not give him (Veerappan) an opportunity also to live like us and make him a human being," Rajkumar said in an audio cassette sent by the bandit to the Tamil Nadu government, as he kept the celebrated actor and three others in captivity for the sixth day today.

Assuring that he was safe and being looked after well by Veerappan since the abduction on Sunday last, the 71-year old actor said, "he (Veerappan) has something in mind. This should be fulfilled at the earliest."

Appearing to be relieved that Rajkumar is safe, Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna said the government had an "open mind" on Veerappan's demands which are not yet specified.

Rajkumar's statement suggest that Veerappan, who has eluded the police for long and had twice offered to surrender only to backtrack on it, is looking for general amnesty to bring the curtains down on the hostage crisis.

Krishna declared that the government had an open mind regarding the demands and that its concern was to "get back Rajkumar in our midst." The government is anxiously awaiting to know Veerappan's demands, he said.

Asked about granting amnesty, Krishna said, "after getting the demand, we will consider. We have an open mind." He also stated emphatically that the government was not interested in "legal jugglery" and all efforts were directed only towards securing Rajkumar's release.