Bangalore: Accepting the demand of forest bandit Veerappan, Karnataka on October 8 said that it would initiate the process to send emissaries of his choice in a day or two to negotiate the release of abducted Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader H Nagappa, as the hostage crisis entered 45th day.

In accordance with the demand of the brigand the state was ready to send Ponnachi Mahadevaswamy, a JD-U leader from Kollegal, but there were technical difficulties in deputing jailed Tamil activist, Kolathur Mani who has five cases against him, Minister for Law D B Chandregowda told reporters.

Mahadevaswamy has expressed willingness to be the emissary and the government would facilitate his departure into the forest, Gowda said but expressed apprehension whether Veerappan who has been insisting on Mani would accept the former alone for negotiations.

The government has no objection to depute Mani if the court grants bail, he said and ruled out withdrawal of cases.

He said, he had a discussion with the Chief Minister S M Krishna and legal experts on the demands made by Veerappan who has asked the state to send Mani and Mahadevaswsamy as emissaries within eight days, failing which, the hostage would be harmed.

Two bail applications filed by Mani were pending before the High Court and the government was yet to file chargesheet in a TADA case booked against him.

PTI