Bangalore, Oct 14: As the eight-day deadline set by forest brigand Veerappan ended today, the anxiety-gripped Karnataka government intensified efforts to send an emissary to the bandit to negotiate the release of JD(U) leader H Nagappa, who spent the 51st day in captivity, amidst rumours that he had been rescued from M M hills. "We are trying to see if Mahadevaswamy (Kollegal JD(U) local leader) is willing to go alone or wants to send a message to Veerappan. We are after him," Karnataka home minister Mallikarjun Kharge told.
He dismissed speculations originating in the evening that Nagappa had been rescued, saying "I have no such news."
Kharge said officials were trying to get in touch with Mahadevasway, who Veerappan has insisted in the third cassette sent on Sunday last, be sent as an emissary along with Tamil activist Kolathur Mani.
Official sources indicated that behind-the-scene efforts were underway to secure the release of Nagappa. "We are making efforts to secure the release through different sources", they said, but declined to elaborate on their plans.
Efforts for mediation have not made any significant headway since the bandit sent the cassette, as Mani is in jail and the High Court has adjourned his application for bail for this week. MANI can go as an emissary only if he obtains bail.
Veerappan has threatened to harm Nagappa if emissaries of his choice were not sent before the eight-day deadline. Bureau Report