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Karnataka Cabinet meets to find mediator

Senior advocate Venugopal, who had taken up the brief for Arjun, brother of Veerappan, when he was arrested a few years ago and also for TADA detainees who were alleged to be aides of the bandit, has offered to undertake a mission to the jungles.

Venugopal, whose name is being considered, met Chief Minister S M Krishna on Thursday, after which he said he was willing to act as an emissary provided he was able to establish contact with Veerappan.

Another advocate, Subbu Krishna, whose name is also being considered by the government, has also expressed his readiness to embark on the mediatory mission.

Karnataka's stand of opting for negotiations comes in sharp contrast to that of Tamil Nadu, whose chief minister, J Jayalalithaa, has asserted that her government wants Veerappan caught, dead or alive.

But while Karnataka is keeping its options open on negotiations, it is also bracing for any eventuality and has asked the Centre to send paramilitary forces and commandos to bolster the Special Task Force set up to hunt down the outlaw.

Karnataka Director General of Police V V Bhaskar and other senior police officers are monitoring the situation at the Gundal STF camp in consultation with their Tamil Nadu counterparts. Bhaskar said the police had not received any direction yet to suspend the search for Veerappan.

Meanwhile, groups representing Veerashaivas, the community to which Nagappa belongs, have been mounting pressure on the Karnataka government to secure safe release of the former minister in the same way as it did for film star Rajakumar.

PTI

H Nagappa Abduction: Complete coverage
The Abduction of Dr Rajakumar
The Hunt for Veerappan

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