It was my fate that I was abducted by Veerappan — Rajjumar

MULAYANUR, (TAMIL NADU), NOV 16: Matinee idol Dr Rajkumar today said though fate had willed his kidnapping, his release from Veerappan's c...

MULAYANUR, (TAMIL NADU), NOV 16: Matinee idol Dr Rajkumar today said though fate had willed his kidnapping, his release from Veerappan’s captivity was a blessing in disguise as it would pave the way for continued harmonious relations between the Tamils and Kannidagas in the two states.

In a brief press conference at the house of Boothapadi Tamil Maanila congress (TMC) president Ramarajan, before leaving for Bangalore in a helicopter, Dr Rajkumar said: “It’s my fate that I was abducted by Veerappan. But my release would foster relations between the Tamils and Kannadigas in the two states. People of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka will live as brothers and sisters in future,” said Rajkumar, who stayed at the house of Ramarajan last night after his release yesterday.

A visibly tired Rajkumar, who was assisted to the press conference by official emissary and Tamil magazine editor R.R. Gopal, said that during his 108 days in forest he was well taken care of by Veerappan. “Veerappan did not harrass me,” he added.

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Dr Rajkumar thanked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna for taking so much pains in securing his safe release from the clutches of Veerappan.

He also thanked emissaries Tamil National Movement P Nedumaran, human rights activists Prof Kalyani, Pudhuvai G Sugumaran, besides Dr Banu, Ramkumar and Kulathur Mani for their efforts in helping me to return to Bangalore.

Dr Rajkumar said he spoke to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and thanked him. “Karunanidhi also enquired about my health condition.”

He said he would meet Karunanidhi in Chennai after a couple of days.

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Official sources said besides Karunanidhi and his Karnataka counterpart S M Krishna, Prime Minister A B Vajpayee, Defence Minister George Fernandes also spoke to him and enquired about his health.

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