Bangalore: In a significant step forward a day after the eight-day deadline set by forest brigand Veerappan ended, a local Janata Dal- United (JD-U) leader has consented to embark on a mission alone to the forests to negotiate the release of former Karnataka minister H Nagappa and to appeal to the bandit to free him on humanitarian grounds.

Mahadevaswamy, a Kollegal taluk JD (U) leader, has agreed to undertake the mission alone if it was acceptable to the bandit and would send a message through the All- India Radio on October 16, explaining legal hurdles in deputing Tamil activist Kollathur Mani for mediation, Karnataka Home Minister Mallikarjun Kharge said on October 15 night.

As the anxious state government stepped up its efforts to find a negotiated end to the 52-day old hostage drama, Mahadevaswamy met Chief Minister S M Krishna and Kharge separately as also state DGP Madiyal and Security Advisor T Srinivasulu alongwith Nagappa's son Preetam and son-in-law Kiran Patil.

After a meeting with Mahadevaswamy and senior police officials, Kharge said the audio message would be aired through the AIR stations of Coimbatore, Chennai and Tiruchirapalli.

He said the government would facilitate the mission of Mahadevaswamy, who Veerappan had insisted in the third cassette sent to Nagappa's family on October 6 should be sent as an emissary along with Mani, now in Bellary Jail in Karnataka.

Mani is facing five cases, including two in the state High Court, which has adjourned his bail application for this week. He can proceed on the mediatory mission only if the court grants him bail.

PTI