Hostages may be released only by month end

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, AUG. 25. The noted Kannada film actor, Mr. Rajkumar, and three others, who are captives of the forest brigand, Veerappan, for the last 26 days, are unlikely to be released at least for another five days.

Sources in the State Government told TheHinduhere today that going by the present state of affairs of the negotiations with the brigand, who abducted the film actor from his Gajanur estate adjoining the Kollegal forests on July 30, the hostages would possibly be set free only by the month end or early next month. All hopes of an imminent release have obviously been dashed following certain clarifications sought by Veerappan. All the 11 demands placed on Karnataka and the Tamil Nadu governments were intertwined, and it was obviously difficult for the two governments to meet any demand in isolation.

It said that apart from other things, the release of Mr. Rajkumar was directly linked to the release of the 51 former TADA detenus now housed in the Mysore jail. Their applications seeking bail against criminal cases registered against them will come up for hearing on August 28 and thereafter the presiding officer concerned will possibly reserve his orders for the next day. It is in this context that the emissary of the two governments, Mr. R. R. Gopal, has said that his next trip to the forest will be on Monday or Tuesday. Sources in the Government said the two governments were now keen that Mr. Gopal should return with the hostages and, therefore, felt that he should make the next trip only on or after Monday.

The Chief Minister, Mr. S. M. Krishna, on his return from Chennai in the evening, said the two governments, apart from conceding the demands of Veerappan, had even agreed to set up a fund of Rs. 10 crores to pay compensation to the victims of ``STF atrocities'' or their dependants as per the directions of the National Human Rights Commission. If need be, the State Government would even allocate additional funds towards this. The charge was that the STF personnel had tortured innocent people.

Asked if the release of Mr. Rajkumar was directly linked to the release of the detenus from the Mysore jail, the Chief Minister said the demands were linked to the release. ``If necessary, the State Government could even use the discretionary powers vested in it for the withdrawal of criminal cases. In this case, the Government, apart from dropping the TADA charges, was confining itself to the bail applications''. In other words, the prosecution will not be raising objection to the bail.

In his trip to Chennai today, the Chief Minister was accompanied by the Home Minister, Mr. Mallikarjuna Kharge, the Home Secretary, Mr. M. B. Prakash, and the Director General and Inspector General of Police, Mr. C.Dinakar. ``I am satisfied with the cooperation extended by the Government of Tamil Nadu in the efforts to overcome the crisis. It is our fond hope that Mr. Rajkumar will come back with Mr. Gopal during the latter's next trip. Mr. Gopal has reaffirmed that Mr. Rajkumar is in good health and was eagerly looking forward to return.''

On Mr. Rajkumar requesting the reopening of the film industry which has remained closed his abduction, since the Chief Minister said it was for the industry to decide on the matter, the State Government would not interfere. Very few cinema houses had started screening films and most exhibitors had sustained heavy losses following the nearly one month closure.

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