CHENNAI, July 15: The TN government has assured all help to the authorities in Karnataka for securing the release of the nine persons taken hostage on Saturday last by notorious forest brigand Veerappan, operating in the border between the two States. The outlaw has threatened to kill the hostages if his demand for protection of his life, among other things, is not conceded within eight days. The TN and Karnataka governments have agreed to protect the brigand's life, and Karnataka officials were in the city today to work out modalities for the surrender. (Veerappan had earlier demanded that he be allowed to surrender before the President of India). The strategy for the surrender were reportedly discussed today, but the details will be finalised only after studying the demands of the elusive poacher-turned-sandalwood smuggler in full.
