Zeenext Bureau Bangalore/Chennai, Aug, 24: Forest brigand Veerappan has sent a fresh videotape to the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers. Both chief ministers will jointly view the tape on Friday in Chennai.
The brigand is said to be unhappy over the governments’ responses to his demands. He is also supposed to have set a deadline for the release of five Tamil Nadu Liberation Army (TNLA) prisoners. After a four-hour meeting with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Thursday, official emissary R.R. Gopal told the media that he had brought audio and videotapes from Veerappan. Sources said the brigand has set a deadline to “test” the governments’ seriousness in resolving the kidnap drama. “With the governments dragging their feet on the release of TADA detenues and prisoners, Veerappan has toughened his stand,” the source said. The brigand has also sent an audiocassette to popular film star Rajnikant, who had sent a cassette through the emissary to Veerappan, pleading for an early release of abducted Kannada film star Rajkumar and three other hostages.