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Veerappan demands Rs 500 million, amnesty

Fakir Chand in Bangalore

The Karnataka government has been driven to the wall by forest brigand Veerappan's 'impossible' demands for releasing Kannada film star Dr Rajakumar on Saturday.

Veerappan's audio-cassette containing demands reached chief minister S M Krishna on Saturday. The bandit has reportedly asked for Rs 500 million and general amnesty, besides other demands.

Though Krishna was silent on the nature of demands, he admitted that the issues involved were too critical to be spelt out as they were not in public interest.

"I will leave for Madras on Sunday morning to discuss the demands with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, as some issues concern that state. Till then, I am constrained from divulging other details," Krishna told the media in Bangalore.

Veerappan has also reportedly made a host of politically sensitive demands, such as protection to Tamils in Karnataka and release of Cauvery water on the basis of the Supreme Court's observations.

He has also asked for quashing of Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (prevention) Act cases against accomplices and transfer of all cases against him to courts in Tamil Nadu.

The state government has kept Dr Rajakumar's family informed about the contents of the tape and consultations with the Tamil Nadu government.

The Rajakumar Abduction: complete coverage
The saga of Veerappan

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