It is in Govts' hands, says emissary

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, AUG. 25. The official emissary, Mr. R.R. Gopal, today put the onus on the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Governments for securing the release of the Kannada film actor, Mr. Rajkumar, who was kidnapped by sandalwood smuggler Veerappan on July 30.

At a press conference, Mr. Gopal said he would undertake another trip to the forest to meet Veerappan only if the State Governments conceded the two outstanding demands: grant of relief to those affected by atrocities of the joint Special Task Force, and dropping of all charges against 121 persons, including the 70 who are out on conditional bail in Karnataka.

Mr. Gopal said Veerappan had given time till August 29 for a reply to the two demands. But, he said, his next trip depended on the actions of the two Governments. ``No purpose will be served if I were to meet Veerappan without the Governments agreeing to the demands,'' he said. ``It is in the hands of the two Governments now.''

Veerappan was insistent that compensation be given to all the victims who had so far represented to the Sadasiva Commission probing the atrocities committed by the joint STF. While the two Governments had promised to abide by the recommendations of the Commission, Veerappan wanted Rs.10 lakhs to be paid to each of the rape victims and to the families of those killed by the STF. Also, he wanted Rs. five lakhs to be paid to those otherwise affected by the STF operations.

While the response of the Karnataka Government to the other demand was by way of releasing 51 on bail, Veerappan wanted all charges against all 121 persons to be dropped immediately.

Mr. Gopal said there were now nine persons in the group including Veerappan and the TNLA militant Maran.

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