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Veerappan comes up with fresh demand

The emissaries, who have left the forests after protracted negotiations with forest brigand Veerappan on resolving the hostage crisis involving Kannada film icon Rajakumar, are expected to reach Madras on Tuesday afternoon.

After two days of talks with the emissaries, Veerappan had on Monday evening freed one of three hostages, Govindraj, son-in-law of Dr Rajakumar, even while placing a new demand for the release of the thespian.

Hardening his stance, the fugitive has reportedly sought an assurance from the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka governments that they would not launch any offensive, including commando operations, to nab him following the release of the star, further deepening the 79-day-old crisis.

The thespian and Nagesh are still being held captive by the brigand. Of the four abducted by Veerappan from the Gajjanur farmhouse of Dr Rajakumar on July 30, assistant director Nagappa had escaped from the brigand's hideout on September 28.

Govindaraj has been taken to Bangalore, while the emissaries are expected to call on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and inform him of details of their talks with the fugitive.

Besides official emissary and Nakkeeran editor R R Gopal, the negotiators are Tamil Nationalist Movement leader P Nedumaran, human rights activist Prof Kalyani of Villupuram and Pondicherry PUCL secretary G Sukumaran. This mission was the fifth undertaken by Gopal.

UNI

The Rajakumar Abduction: complete coverage
The saga of Veerappan

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