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Karnataka STF told to go slow on Veerappan

The beleaguered Karnataka government appears to be either unsure of how to deal with the latest abduction crisis or unwilling to reveals its gameplan.

After a cabinet meeting on Saturday, it decided to direct the state's Special Task Force (STF) to go slow in its combing operations against sandalwood smuggler Veerappan.

It was, however, unwilling to go on record about whether it will send an emissary to negotiate with the brigand for H Nagappa's release.

"The government has directed the state STF to take appropriate action to get Nagappa released. It has been delegated full powers to deal with the situation as it deems fit," Karnataka Home Minister Mallikarjun Kharge told mediapersons after a 90-minute cabinet meeting in Bangalore.

Declining to divulge details on what transpired at the cabinet meeting on the hostage crisis, Kharge refused to comment on media reports that the STF had, in fact, suspended its combing operations with effect from Friday.

He also officially denied that the government had received a second audio cassette from Veerappan.

Later, briefing mediapersons about the cabinet meeting, state Information Minister K Thimappa actually claimed that the abduction issue did not come up for discussion at all (as it was not officially listed on the agenda).

"The upcoming panchayat raj elections and measures being taken to tackle the acute drought situation across Karnataka were on the agenda," he asserted.

Thimappa later told rediff.com that no decision was taken on shortlisting an emissary to negotiate with the brigand for the safe release of Nagappa as the situation continues to be fluid. Some persons, one of them an advocate from Mysore, have offered to mediate on behalf of the state government.

"The government is waiting for some word from Veerappan," he added.

With Chief Minister S M Krishna also refusing to comment on the hostage crisis, there appears to be a deadlock on the issue.

The uncertainty may have something to do with the Tamil Nadu government's decision to go all-out to nab the bandit as against the Karnataka government's plans to go in for negotiations.

Sources said there has been very little communication between the two neighbouring states in which Veerappan operates.

So far, in the only message sent by Veerappan through an audio cassette, he wanted the STF to curb its activities against his gang. He also demanded that the Karnataka government fulfil the demands made to him when he released Kannada film actor Rajakumar.

While only the chief minister and Kharge are authorised to talk on the abduction crisis, Thimappa briefs mediapersons about cabinet meetings.

H Nagappa Abduction: Complete coverage
The Abduction of Dr Rajakumar
The Hunt for Veerappan

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