Krishna refuses comment

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, DEC. 4. The Karnataka Chief Minister, Mr. S.M. Krishna, today refused comment on the remarks of the Defence Minister, Mr. George Fernandes, about the deployment of Central forces to nab the forest brigand, Veerappan. Mr. Krishna said he was not aware ``in what context Mr. Fernandes made the statement. I also read it (in the newspapers).''

On Sunday, Mr. Fernandes said he was displeased with the Centre's move to send the BSF and the NSG forces to assist the Special Task Forces of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu in their operations against Veerappan. Mr. Fernandes said the Centre's move ``did not make any sense'' and nabbing Veerappan was a ``police job''. Asked if the Centre was now reluctant to get involved in the STF operations, Mr. Krishna said: ``You should ask the Centre that question. I can only speak for the State Government... and we are dead serious (on capturing Veerappan).''

Karunanidhi evasive

Our Chennai Special Correspondent writes:

In Chennai, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, too, avoided commenting on Mr. Fernandes' remarks. ``I don't know what exactly Mr. Fernandes meant by it and unless I know in full what he had said, it will not be proper to comment.''

Restraint was called for in such matters, particularly with the Centre not having written anything to the Tamil Nadu Government to that effect, Mr. Karunanidhi said.

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