Bangalore: Karnataka Minister for Food Processing A Rajugowda on November 14 aired an appeal through All India Radio (AIR) to forest bandit Veerappan asking him to set free abducted Janata Dal – United (JD-U) leader H Nagappa.

Rajugowda in his appeal broadcast in Tamil has narrated to the bandit the difficulties involved in his taking the role of an emissary as demanded by him but which was promptly rejected by the government.

He said, "I have learnt that you have called me to the forest. Now I am 70-year-old and cannot walk." Nagappa, he said, was a "good man" and he was dear to him too.

Rajugowda told Veerappan that Nagappa was not keeping good health. The minister also asked Veerappan to spell out his demands.

In the fourth audio-cassette sent by Veerappan, he has demanded that the government send either Tamil activist Kollathur Mani or Rajugowda as emissaries. But the Karnataka government rejected the fugitive's demand, taking the stand that it would not depute any minister or Legislator as emissaries to negotiate the release of Nagappa, whom the outlaw has held hostage since 82 days.

The bandit has refused to budge from his stand on seeking Mani as emissary, despite the jailed Tamil activist airing appeals for release of Nagappa twice earlier.

PTI