We won't go back on our word: Karunanidhi

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, AUG. 29. Even as the emissary-journalist, Mr. R. R. Gopal's third forest mission seemed to have become ``complicated'', following the Supreme Court today staying the bail proceedings in the Mysore Sessions Court regarding the TADA detenus the brigand Veerappan wanted to be freed, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, was optimistic that Mr. Gopal's mission would not be affected.

Refusing to react to the Supreme Court's order, he said it would not be proper to comment on the issue before the apex court, which posted the matter to September 1.

However, he told mediapersons at the DMK's headquarters here that, ``neither the Karnataka Chief Minister, Mr. S. M. Krishna nor I, will go back on our assurances,'' to enable the release of the Kannada actor, Mr. Rajkumar, and three others taken hostage by Veerappan.

Pointing out that Mr. Gopal would explain the position to the brigand, the Chief Minister said he was also hopeful that Veerappan ``will understand court procedures''. Sources in the Tamil weekly Nakkeeran here said the Government emissary was likely to receive the ``signal'' from Veerappan either tonight or early tomorrow.

The magazine's associate editor, Mr. Kamaraj, seemed a bit disturbed in the wake of the Supreme Court developments earlier today, but was awaiting a positive word from one of his staffers later tonight.

Meanwhile, a report from Erode said that, apart from the documents and clarifications given by the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Governments, Mr. Gopal was carrying some ``medicines'' for Mr. Rajkumar.

Mr. Gopal was expected to meet Veerappan tomorrow, the report said adding that the heavy rain that lashed the Thalawadi and Thalamalai forest areas yesterday subsided today.

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