The Hindu : Nedumaran, Mani not willing to be emissaries?

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Saturday, Sep 07, 2002

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Nedumaran, Mani not willing to be emissaries?

By K.V.Subramanya

BANGALORE SEPT. 6. The Nagappa abduction issue seems to have taken a new turn with the Tamilar Desiya Iyakkam leader, P. Nedumaran, and the Tamil activist, Kolatur Mani, reportedly expressing their reluctance to enter the forest and hold talks with the forest brigand, Veerappan, as demanded by him.

Sources told The Hindu here on Friday that Mr. Nedumaran and Mr. Mani, who had been arrested under POTA and TADA, were not interested in coming out of jail till they were absolved of the charges. Further, both are in judicial custody, it would not be possible for the Government to get them out on bail and send them as emissaries.

Referring to speculation that they might be brought out on parole and sent as negotiators, the sources said that as they were not convicts and only undertrials, the law did permit them to come out on parole.

Meanwhile, the cassette sent by Veerappan to Mr. Nagappa's family was sent to the Chief Minister's Office by the Director-General and Inspector-General of Police, V.V. Bhaskar, who is camping in Gundal. The contents are said to be the same as those of the one received by the Chief Minister by post on Thursday. They contain Veerappan's two demands and a message from Mr. Nagappa urging Mr. Krishna to fulfil the bandit's demands. As the Chief Minister is away in New Delhi today, no decision could be taken. "Mr. Krishna will be returning on Saturday. With Sunday and Gowri-Ganesha festivals following on Monday and Tuesday, a decision may be taken only on Wednesday," sources said.

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