Bangalore: The Karnataka Cabinet is again meeting on August 31 in the backdrop of
its efforts to negotiate with forest brigand Veerappan to secure the safe release of
Janata Dal – United (JD-U) leader H Nagappa.
As the hostage crisis entered the seventh day on August 31, the state government is
still weighing the option of sending a suitable emissary and one who could establish
contact with the bandit and with whom Veerappan would be willing to talk
to.
The names of Subbukrishna and Venugopal, advocates who had appeared for the
Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (prevention) Act (TADA) detenues who were
suspected to be the aides of Veerappan, are being considered, with the former
expected to emerge as the state government's choice.
In a significant statement, Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna has said that the
government was working out a well-thought action plan to end the crisis but stressed
that the plan did not mean it should be the use of police or commando force to storm
the forests.
Prominent seers of Veerashaivas, the majority community in Karnataka to which
Nagappa belongs, have been impressing upon Krishna to secure the safe release of the
former minister through negotiations at the earliest.
Meanwhile the state government continued to draft more senior police officials for
the services of the special task force (STF), which has taken up positions at
vantage points in the jungles.
PTI
