Bangalore, Aug 26: There was no word yet from forest bandit Veerappan's gang setting out demands or reasons for kidnapping former Karnataka minister Nagappa, police said here today.

A top police official said additional police forces had been deployed to assist the STF in the combing operations against the poacher-smuggler. He said police patrolling had been intensified in Kamagere, a village near Kollegal, in the wake of tension following protests by people against the kidnapping of Nagappa.

Meanwhile, Karnataka DGP V V Bhaskar and ADGP (law and order) Subhash Bharani have rushed to Chamarajanagar. Veerappan, accompanied by his gang, raided Nagappa's house in Kamagere village last night and took him hostage, along with two policemen, who had been posted to provide security.

Nagappa had been demanding the arrest of the fugitive for several years.

The bandit had shot off a threatening letter to Nagappa about a year ago, stating that he would abduct him, following which the Janata Dal leader had been given tight security. Another source in the police department said Veerappan might have taken advantage of the situation and struck at Nagappa's house, as the attention of the police had been diverted to the maiden visit by Kannada film star Rajkumar to Gajanur in Chamarajanagar district yesterday.

The mega star, who was kidnapped by the outlaw two years ago, returned to the city this morning on the advise of police.

Bureau Report