Decision on mission soon: Nedumaran

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, NOV. 10. Even as the ``mission persuasion'' continued, the Tamil Nationalist Movement leader, Mr. P. Nedumaran, today said he would announce his decision soon on resuming his mission to negotiate with the bandit, Veerappan, for securing the release of Kannada matinee idol, Mr. Rajkumar, and another hostage.

However, Mr. Nedumaran maintained that he was still considering the pleas of the sons of Mr. Rajkumar and several others. He said that he did not have to wait for signals from Veerappan and could set out for the jungles ``immediately'' after he firmed up his plans on rejoining the team of emissaries.

The key emissary, who pulled out of the mission last Tuesday following the TMC's blistering attack on him in the Assembly, was requested by several film personalities, including Mr. Rajnikant and Kannada actor Mr. Ambarish, besides the PMK leader, Dr. S. Ramadoss, the and MGR-ADMK MP, Mr. S. Thirunavukkarasu, to review his decision.

Mr. Nedumaran said he continued to receive appeals from several people today including the film director, Mr. Sekar, to undertake another mission to secure the release of Mr. Rajkumar.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry unit of the PUCL, in a statement, criticised ``some political leaders' reckless and irresponsible'' statements against Mr. Nedumaran to gain ``political mileage''. The PUCL appealed to parties to refrain from making ``negative criticism'' till the safe release of Mr. Rajkumar. Meanwhile, the TNCC(I) vice president and former MP, Mr. R. Anabrasu, said he met the Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, today and expressed his desire to go as an official emissary to the jungles to negotiate with Veerappan.

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Section  : National
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