Editor meets Veerappan

The editor, who had earlier played the role of official emissary to negotiate the release of persons taken hostage by the fugitive, has brought back a video cassette containing footage of his `unofficial’ meeting with Veerappan.

Asked why he had gone on the trip on his own instead of taking the government into confidence, the sources said as the Chief Minister was then in New Delhi, Gopal had decided to ascertain for himself Veerappan’s latest position on the question of his surrender.

Despite the resumption of Special Task Force operations to nab the elusive outlaw, both the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Governments are still willing to accept his surrender. In a cassette sent through intermediaries a few days ago, Veerappan had waived the condition that he should only have a limited prison term of two years, thus raising hopes that he might opt for a condition-free surrender.