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Minister's alleged remarks
anger Nagappa's supporters

Ex-minister H Nagappa's abduction is taking an unexpected turn for the worse with a Karnataka minister's comments creating divisions in the state along communal lines.

The trouble began when D K Shivakumar, a Karnataka minister, allegedly made a remark, reported in a tabloid on Thursday, to the effect that the community to which Nagappa belongs, Lingayats (an influential community in the state), should get him released by paying the ransom demanded by Veerappan.

This remark angered people in his native Kamagere.

Later the same day, when another minister A B Malakareddy paid a visit to Kamagere. In due course, he tried to defend his colleague further angering the locals who assaulted him.

Police promptly took evasive action and whisked him away.

The entire Hanur assembly segment, which twice elected Nagappa to the state assembly, observed a bandh on Thursday protesting against these divisive comments.

Nagappa belongs the Lingayat community and Raju Gowda, his main political rival, to the rival Vokkaliga community, which is equally influential.

Despite his denials, Raju Gowda is believed to enjoy the sympathy of Veerappan.

In the present surcharged atmosphere, Nagappa's supporters suspect his abduction was masterminded by Raju Gowda, and Shivakumar's remarks only strengthened their suspicion.

Since day one of the abduction, opposition parties have been pressurising the government for immediate suspension of combing operations by the Special Task Force, constituted to hunt down Veerappan, to ensure Nagappa's safe return.

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