Veerappan -- SC hearing on ultras' release today

Veerappan -- SC hearing on ultras' release today
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Chennai, Sept 18: Official emissary in the Veerappan saga, R R Gopal, is expected to venture for the fourth time into the forests within the next two days, 12 days after his failed mission to the jungles to secure the release of Kannada filmstar Rajkumar and three others, held hostage by the bandit since July 30.

Gopal's latest journey will entail explaining to Veerappan, details of the action taken by Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Governments on the case pertaining to the release of 121 TADA detenus, which would come up for hearing in the Supreme Court tomorrow.

Ten days have elapsed since Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi met his Karnataka counterpart S M Krishna at Bangalore on the issue.

Karunanidhi, who had a one-hour meeting with Karnataka Home Minister Mallikarjun Kharge and other top officials of that state today, later told reporters that a firm date for Gopal's departure had yet to be decided.

`Gopal will explain to the brigand on what steps are being taken by both governments in the light of the matter coming up before the Supreme Court', he said.

He replied in the negative when asked if any cassettes had been received so far from Veerappan.

To another question on the safety of Tamils in Karnataka, Karunanidhi said the Karnataka Chief Minister was well apprised of the matter.

Earlier, Kharge told reporters that he had come to take stock of the situation in the light of the Apex Court taking up the case tomorrow. He said strategies had been discussed.

Kharge was accompanied by Karnataka Home Secretary M B Prakash and Inspector General of Police K R Srinivasan, who was deputed by the Karnataka Government to co-ordinate with Tamil Nadu soon after Rajkumar and the others were kidnapped.

Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister Arcot Veerasamy, Home Secretary Shantha Sheila Nair and its Additional Director General of Police A Kumaraswamy were also present during the meeting.

Gopal, along with A Kamaraj, associate editor of the Tamil bi-weekly Nakheeeran were also present.