Accept brother Veerappan’s demands, says Rajkumar

He also warned the state governments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu as well as the Centre against using force. “This will have undesirable consequences for everyone,” Rajkumar said.

The cassette was given to a reporter of Tamilan Express, a sister publication, on Thursday evening by an unidentified person. A similar cassette, despatched to Udaya TV, was referred to the Tamil Nadu government.

Chief Minister M Karunanidhi was informed about the cassette and he immediately summoned Rajkumar’s son, Shivaraj Kumar, who is camping in Chennai, to confirm if the voice on the tape was his father’s or not. Once the cassette’s authenticity was confirmed, the two private television channels, Sun TV and Udaya TV, started telecasting it.

“I came to know about the incidents (of violence) in Karnataka through radio broadcast. Since this can have dangerous consequences, I am explaining my position…Tamils, Telugus and Kannadigas are living in harmony in Karnataka and that should not be disturbed by you,” he appealed.

“Here, it is a new experience for me. In fact, I feel I needed it too. They are treating me like their brother. They are taking the utmost interest in my welfare. They have not given me any trouble. They are doing whatever I need then and there. You need not be shocked or surprised by my presence here. I will appear before you without being affected in the least. Therefore, you don’t attack Tamils or anyone else. That will spoil my name.

“I am told that the Army from Delhi and the police have surrounded this area. This appears to be very dangerous for me. Veerappan is asking me, `If the Army attacks us, we will run away. But what will you do?’ It is for the Karnataka Chief Minister, Union ministers, the Prime Minister and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi to decide on this. They should act keeping this in mind.

“Veerappan has some demands in mind. He disclosed them to me. Efforts should be made to fulfil those demands at the earliest. I agree with Veerappan’s thinking. There is a possibility of Veerappan returning to normal life and living like our brother. Why shouldn’t the Government give him a chance to reform himself and live? If his demands are accepted, it will be an opportunity for me to return happily.”

Karnataka government representative and Inspector General of Police K R Srinivas and Joint STF chief V Balachandran held consultations with senior police officials of the state, including DGP Sharma and Additional DGP S Kumarasamy.

Meanwhile, the wife of Veerappan, Muthulakshmi, has pleaded for general amnesty to her husband saying it would enable them to start a new life together.

“We can start a new life together if he is given general amnesty,” 29-year old Muthulakshmi said here yesterday. She said she had been living away from her husband for more than 10 years ever since the STF personnel surrounded Veerappan in a forest, forcing him to leave his wife behind.

Muthulakshmi spoke about the sufferings she and her daughter had been undergoing due to media publicity.