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Nagappa abduction: JD-U, Karnataka make conflicting claims on Mani's release

Karnataka Chief Minister Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna has agreed to facilitate the release of Kolathur Mani on bail, claimed Janata Dal-United state president C Byre Gowda, after a delegation met the chief minister on Saturday.

Veerappan has demanded Kolathur Mani and Kollegal taluk JD-U leader Ponnachi Mahadevaswamy to be sent to him as emissaries to negotiate the release of former state minister H Nagappa, abducted by the brigand on August 25.

Mani is in Bellary jail on charges of supplying arms and ammunition to the forest brigand.

But state Home Minister Mallikarjuna Kharge said the government has nothing to do with facilitating Mani's bail, adding only the judiciary can take a decision on granting freedom to Mani.

The Karnataka high court is expected to hear Mani's bail application next week. When Mani's bail application came up for hearing last week, the state government had filed its objections.

But sources said the government has now decided to adopt a 'soft approach'.

Mahadevaswamy has agreed to go to the brigand alone to negotiate the release of Nagappa.

Mahadevaswamy told rediff.com that he is hopeful of getting a response from the brigand soon on his message transmitted over All India Radio.

He, however, expressed doubts whether he would be able to meet Veerappan without Mani accompanying him.

Earlier, the JD-U and the Janata Dal-Secular took out a rally in Mysore demanding the government to take steps for the early release of the abducted leader.

The leaders of both the Janata Dal factions also accused the government of neglecting the abduction issue. They said it was 'now buying time', resulting in a threat to Nagappa's life.

They added the same government had acted quickly to get Kannada matinee idol Dr Rajakumar released, when he was abducted by the forest brigand in 2000.

Full Coverage of the Nagappa Abduction Issue

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