Bangalore: Karnataka Cabinet is holding an emergent meeting on November 22 as
pressure mounted on the state government following a 12-day deadline set by forest
brigand Veerappan to send jailed Tamil activist Kollathur Mani to negotiate the
release of Janata Dal – United (JD-U) leader H Nagappa.
Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna called the meeting hours after the government
was handed over the fifth cassette sent by Veerappan by members of the Nagappa
family, to work out a strategy to deal with the deepening crisis.
Hardening his stand, Veerappan has made known his impatience to wait any longer and
threatened to kill Nagappa if Mani who is facing five cases, including two in the
state High Court, is not sent to talk to him within 12 days.
Members of Nagappa's family met Krishna on November 22 morning, official sources
said.
In the latest audio tape, Veerappan has stuck to his demand that Mani be sent as the
government has ruled out deputing Minister for Agro Processing Raju Gowda on a
mediatory mission.
Krishna has indicated that the government was willing to allow a fair trial of
Veerappan if he surrendered.
PTI
