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Govt. tried to save Nagappa: KPCC chief

By Our Special Correspondent

Bangalore Dec. 30. The insinuation that the Government played politics in the Nagappa abduction episode was dismissed in the Legislative Assembly today by the Congress member, Allum Veerabhadrappa.

Making it clear that the Government had not treated the JD(U) leader and former minister, H. Nagappa, as a mere politician, Mr. Veerabhadrappa, who is also the President of the KPCC, said the Government had made all efforts to secure the safe release of Nagappa, who was abducted by the forest brigand, Veerappan.

Mr. Veerabhadrappa, who was participating in the discussion on the Nagappa issue, said the Government had accepted the suggestion of the Opposition parties at every stage. It had ordered a judiciary inquiry even before a demand had been made, and it showed the Government's concern, he added.

Expressing the view that the Government was not effective in securing the safe release of Nagappa because the Opposition interfered with its powers to launch operations, a "rebel'' BJP member, Gundappa Vakil, said the legislators of the constituencies concerned should try to dissuade villagers, who were cooperating with Veerappan, against doing so.

Mr. Vakil alleged that the BJP was not discharging its duty as the main Opposition party, and said it was indulging in tactics to gain cheap popularity and playing politics with an eye on Lingayat votes, as Nagappa was a Lingayat.

The JD(S) member, K.M. Krishnamurthy, felt that if "Y'' scale security had been given to Nagappa, he would not have been abducted by Veerappan. He said that the Government had not paid as much attention to the Nagappa abduction episode as it had to freeing the Kannada film star, Rajkumar, from Veerappan's custody. He demanded a CBI inquiry into the killing of Nagappa, and asked what was the objection of the Government.

Supporting the demand for a CBI inquiry, the "rebel'' BJP member, C. Guruswami, said the judicial inquiry did not serve any purpose in cases of murder.

The JD(U) leader, B. Somasekhar, also said the investigation should be handed over to the CBI to unravel the mystery surrounding the brutal killing of Nagappa. There was circumstantial evidence to suggest that the killing was result of an encounter, he added.

The STF had not only been a total failure, but it was also trying to hush up certain aspects. Its actions after the killing of Nagappa were suspicious, Mr. Somasekhar said. He added that the judicial inquiry would serve no purpose. He accused the Government of delaying steps to secure bail for Kolathur Mani.

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