Karnataka bows to four of Veerappan's demands

The Karnataka government agreed to four demands set by sandalwood smuggler Veerappan even as the second deadline set for the release of nine forest department personnel held hostage by him ended on Thursday.

Chief Minister J H Patel said the government had agreed to the demands on condition that he release the hostages, whom he kidnapped on July 12. Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary K A Nambiar had sought Karnataka's permission on the four conditions put forth by Veerappan.

Veerappan had sought that he only be kept in jails in Tamil Nadu, that he be tried in Tamil Nadu courts, that he not be made to appear before the courts and that his life be protected. The two governments, however, rejected his demand for an amnesty.

Patel said his government had told the Tamil Nadu government that his state had no problem with the four conditions. But the state government needed permission of the Supreme Court to transfer cases to Tamil Nadu, he said. He also made it clear that Veerappan should first release the nine hostages held by him before the authorities acceded to his demand.

State Home Secretary N A Muthanna, who was also present, said the Special Task Force had suspended its operations soon after the two chief ministers had appealed to the forest brigand to surrender and release the hostages.

The issue also cropped up in the Karnataka assembly, with leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and BJP group leader B S Yediyurappa asking the government about Veerappan's appeal for general amnesty.

Speaker Ramesh Kumar made it clear that neither Karnataka nor Tamil Nadu could grant amnesty to Veerappan, who faces trials in various cases. The smuggler could only seek a presidential pardon, he said.

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