In what could be a fresh bid to ensure the release of former Karnataka minister H Nagappa from the clutches of forest brigand Veerappan, Additional Director General of Police Jyothi Prakash Mirji was appointed chief of the state's Special Task Force on September 12.

On the day of Mirji's appointment, Chief Minister S M Krishna had announced that the STF had indefinitely suspended its operations to nab Veerappan and would focus on negotiations to secure Nagappa's release.

Mirji, who was a joint commissioner of police in Bangalore prior to his latest assignment, has said that he will enlist the help of the Soliga tribals living in the forest to ensure Nagappa's release.

In his first interview on assuming office, the officer told Sadananda R that though capturing Veerappan remains his team's primary goal, the priority now is Nagappa's safe release. Excerpts:

Have you stopped operations to nab Veerappan?

No, we have not stopped operations. We have only shifted our attention towards Nagappa's safe release. We are working towards this agenda. Nabbing Veerappan remains our ultimate goal.

How are you going to bring about Nagappa's release?

I cannot spell out the details. That would help Veerappan or those who are against us. But I can tell you that we are making efforts for Nagappa's safe release. This is a very sensitive issue. Let me not speak about it.

How will you enlist the help of the Soligas [tribesmen on whom Veerappan depends for his needs and intelligence]?

We will ask them to establish contact with Veerappan. Dr Sudarshan [who works with the tribals through the Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra, a non-governmental organisation] has agreed to work in this direction. We will work through the network of VGGK [the NGO] and try to establish contact with the brigand. If he desires, one of the tribal leaders will play the role of emissary.

Do you think the Soligas will co-operate with the STF after all the atrocities committed against them by the force?

Why not? Every day is not the same. Some problems have occurred in the past. There must be various reasons for it. Now we are ready to work with them. We have asked Dr Sudarshan to help us in this regard. I am sure we can work together. Our main goal is to get Nagappa's safe release.

Are the tribals ready after all those previous bad experiences?

See, bad and good memories are part of life. Yes, many things have gone wrong in previous days. But now we have to think ahead. I am hopeful the Soligas will support [us] in this endeavour.

Both Chief Minister Krishna and the home minister [Mallikarjun Kharge] are giving conflicting statements about the status of the operation. What is your statement?

You please ask them. We are doing what we are supposed to do. Our goal is to nab Veerappan. The present priority is the safe release of Mr Nagappa. I am not authorised to say more than this.

Are you hopeful of Nagappa's safe release?

Yes, we are trying for it. And hopeful also.

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