'They said they will kill us if...'

"We are not ill-treated but constantly under threat," the nine Karnataka forest personnel held hostage by forest brigand Veerappan told R Gopal and his team.

The hostages, Gopal said, were in good condition, but seemed worried about their fate. They have been made to trek about 20 km a day under the watchful eyes of Veerappan's gang.

"None of us was beaten up so far by either Veerappan or his men, but we were told that they will kill us if the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments do not concede their amnesty demand," the hostages added.

UNI