Gopal's fifth mission likely tomorrow

Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, OCT. 7. Even as several unanswered questions persist on the ``escape''

of the assistant film director, Mr. Nagapppa Maradagi, 10 days ago from the brigand Veerappan, the official emissary-cum- journalist, Mr. R.R. Gopal, is expected to leave here on his fifth forest mission tomorrow.

Mr. Gopal, who is apparently under pressure from the Karnataka Government, is getting ready to leave for the Sathyamangalam forest to recommence negotiations with Veerappan on the release Mr. Rajkumar and two other hostages. Mr. Gopal, who had indicated willingness to pick up the thread of talks despite Veerappan's ``anger'' at Mr. Maradagi's escape, was waiting for a `signal' from the brigand before embarking on his visit.

However, sources in the Tamil bi-weekly Nakkeeran said that their editor had not received any message till this evening. Yet, they did not rule out Mr. Gopal leaving tomorrow as the time he reestablished contact with Veerappan would hopefully synchronise with the Supreme Court's final hearing in the TADA detenus cases on October 11. Veerappan is demanding the release of 51 TADA detenus.

Mr. Gopal, on his return from the fourth mission, claimed that the release of the hostages had been ``almost been clinched'' until Mr. Nagappa's ``sudden escape'' unsettled the brigand. With the Karnataka Government deciding to continue with the strategy of negotiations, it has reposed `faith' in the emissary.

Fortunately for Mr. Gopal, an audio cassette from Veerappan, which had recently reached the Tamizhar Desiya Iyakkam leader, Mr. Pazha. Nedumaran, had no new demand. The emissary is also setting much store by the Centre's stand in its apex court affidavit backing Tamil Nadu and Karnataka's views on the TADA detenus cases.

Notwithstanding the legal uncertainties, the Karnataka Chief Minister, Mr. S.M. Krishna, is stated to be keen that the momentum in the hostages release process be kept up, as his Government will also be completing its first year in office on October 11.

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