'Veerappan's response holds the key'

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, AUG. 23. The State Government, expecting a positive word from the emissary- journalist, Mr. R. R. Gopal, who is negotiating the release of the Kannada actor, Mr. Rajkumar and three others with the forest brigand Veerappan, has taken steps to withdraw all the cases against the five Tamil ultras.

The Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, however, made it clear today that the release of the prisoners, belonging to the TNLA and TNRT extremist outfits, would depend on Mr. Gopal's negotiations with Veerappan, ``reaching the final stage''. ``Both issues are inter-linked'', he told reporters at the Secretariat. Though the Government had agreed to release the extremists on bail, the latter were insisting on a ``total unconditional release''.

Pointing out that the area in which Mr. Gopal was holding talks with Veerappan had no telephone access, Mr. Karunanidhi said the editor of Nakkeeran, had sent word on the continuing parleys through a staffer who had accompanied him.

Some photographs on the second mission talks had been sent, the magazine's associate editor, Mr. Kamaraj, said.

Admitting that the Centre's clearance was required to withdraw some of the 15 or so cases against the militants, in which the incidents involved Central Government property such as a post office and a TV relay station, he said the Centre's approval had been got.

However, ``we have not put it to use yet'', said Mr. Karunanidhi. This meant the Government was yet to issue orders on withdrawing the cases. ``This will depend on the response which Mr. Gopal now conveys,'' he added.

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