The Hindu : Cassette no major relief, says Nagappa's family

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Sep 07, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

Cassette no major relief, says Nagappa's family

By Our Staff Correspondent

KOLLEGAL, C'Nagar Dt., Sept. 6. Even as the second cassette from the brigand, Veerappan, has reached the Government, the mode in which he has sent it has raised eyebrows here.

According to the family of the abducted former Minister, H. Nagappa, the cassette has been neatly wrapped in an inland cover after inverting it. A one-rupee stamp had been affixed on it. Mr. Nagappa himself has written the address in English. The name of Veerappan has been written in Tamil on the back of the cover.

What is intriguing the officials here is that the brigand has for the first time chosen the official means of communication to air his demands. In the past, when he wanted to send cassettes, he had used cattle grazers or his conduits to make sure that it reached the Government. The family sources said that though the duration of the cassette was around 35 minutes, Mr. Nagappa had spoken only for a brief period. He said that though he was keeping good health, he was unable to get good food. Being a diabetic, he also said that it had become difficult to procure medicines. He urged the family members to send medicines through Kolathur Mani if he was being sent as an emissary.

They said that the message by Veerappan and Mr. Nagappa could have been recorded on the eighth day of abduction since the former had mentioned it.

The family members who received the cassette around 11.30 a.m. on Wednesday said that most of the tape had been used by Veerappan to air his grievances. While asking for Kolathur Mani to negotiate, he also spoke about the atrocities committed by the Special Task Force and the manner in which his brother Arjunan and friend, Ayyan Dorai, had been eliminated. He had asked the Government to send Kolathur Mani or Nedumaran to him for negotiations.

Meanwhile, the family members said the cassette had not brought any major relief. The wife of Mr. Nagappa, Parimala Nagappa, said: "We will be relieved only when my husband comes back from the forests." He did not seem to be keeping good health going by the way he spoke.

On the technical problems in releasing Kolathur Mani, the brother-in-law of Mr. Nagappa, Suresh, said that it was left to the Government to decide on the issue. He said the cover had been tampered with before it was delivered to them.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

Stories in this Section

Cong. asks Govt. not to release water

Cassette no major relief, says Nagappa's family

Krishna waters: Ball back in State's court

Wardens for BCM hostels appointed

Mysore IT.Com from Oct. 2

H.D. Kote has reservoir, no irrigation