Date:30/08/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/08/30/stories/2002083006510100.htm

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Advocate meets Krishna, offers to mediate with Veerappan

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE Aug. 29. A senior advocate, Venugopal, who had appeared on behalf of TADA detenues alleged to be aides of the forest brigand Veerappan, today volunteered to act as an emissary to negotiate the release of the abducted former Karnataka Minister, H. Nagappa. However, the mission would be taken up only if he was able to establish contact with Veerappan, Mr. Venugopal told presspersons here after meeting the Karnataka Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna, late on Thursday evening.

Mr. Venugopal would like to take three journalists from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and two senior citizens along with him to ensure transparency in the negotiations. He was hopeful that the Tamil Nadu Government would also agree to the proposed mission. He said Mr. Krishna was willing to send him, provided he first established contact with the brigand. However, the situation now was different from when the Kannada matinee idol, Rajkumar, was held captive by Veerappan, as mediators were available then from Tamil Nadu, he said.

Referring to Mr. Nagappa as his family friend, the advocate said he was keen to make all efforts to secure the ex-Minister's release.

The STF today arrested one more person, Madath, for providing protection to Veerappan.

The Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, D.B. Chandre Gowda, said earlier that Mr. Venugopal was one of those being considered by the Government for the role of emissary, besides wildlife photographers, Krupakar and Senani. The duo had been kidnapped and released by Veerappan in 1998.

Mr. Venugopal, a Janata Dal (Secular) activist, had moved a bail application on behalf of Kolathur Mani, and it was rejected by a Mysore jurisdictional court on August 12. He had also appeared for TADA detenues in a Mysore court as also for Veerappan's brother, Arjuna, who was arrested a few years ago.

Four platoons sought

Earlier in the day, the Karnataka Home Minister, Mallikarjuna Kharge, said that the State Government had requested four platoons of paramilitary forces from the Centre for the joint operation by the Special Task Forces to nab Veerappan,

He said that though the commandos from the Centre might not known the terrain, their very presence would boost the STFs morale. The Centre had been requested to send two platoons each of the Central Reserve Police Force and the Rapid Action Force.

Mr. Krishna said he had explained the steps being taken by the Government to secure the release of Mr. Nagappa to his son, Preetam Nagappa, and other members of the family who called on him today.