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Ramadoss' help being sought
to secure Nagappa's release

Union Defence Minister George Fernandes is trying to rope in Pattali Makkal Katchhi leader Dr S Ramadoss in efforts to secure the release of abducted Janata Dal (U) leader H Nagappa.

During a visit to Bangalore, he told mediapersons on Sunday that the central government is providing all help to the Karnataka government in the matter.

Nagappa was abducted by sandalwood smuggler Veerappan from Chamarajnagar district on August 25.

JD (U) leaders have sought Fernandes' intervention as the state government has so far failed to make much headway in the matter of Nagappa's release.

The brigand is yet to react to Ponnachi Mahadevaswamy's appeal over radio. Mahadevaswamy is being seen as the official emissary of the Karnataka government.

Veerappan had asked that Mahadevaswamy be sent along with Kollathur Mani to discuss the terms for Nagappa's release.

Mani's bail application is slated to come up for hearing in the high court on October 22. It is believed that the government is adopting a soft approach on the issue to facilitate Mani's release on bail.

Union Minister for Food and Civil Supplies V Srinivas Prasad, Karnataka Samata Party chief who represents Chamarajnagar parliamentary constituency, told rediff.com that the defence minister is trying to persuade Ramadoss to intervene in the matter.

Ramadoss is believed to be close to Veerappan.

The PMK leader had played an important role even during the time of Kannada actor Rajakumar's abduction. His letter to Veerappan seeking Rajakumar's release is believed to have influenced Veerappan's decision to release the actor as the brigand is believed to treat Ramadoss as his leader.

H Nagappa Abduction: Complete coverage
The Abduction of Dr Rajakumar
The Hunt for Veerappan

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