Plea to release movie star

Thousands protested against the kidnapping

A fresh appeal has been made for the release of an Indian film star kidnapped by the notorious bandit, Veerappan.

The chief minister of the southern Karnataka state, SM Krishna, said he would respond favourably to most of the demands made by Veerappan in return for the safe release of the actor, Rajkumar.

He has never hurt or harmed anyone. He is a man without enemies

SM Krishna on Rajkumar

The actor and three relatives were kidnapped in Tamil Nadu last Sunday.

Veerappan has made several demands in exchange for Rajkumar's freedom.

They are said to include more water for Tamil Nadu farmers, the dropping of criminal cases against some of Veerappan's associates, and making Tamil an administrative language in Karnataka.

"After you took Rajkumar away so suddenly, the whole state has been feeling a lot of pain," Mr Krishna said in his statement, which was read out on All India Radio.

"He has never hurt or harmed anyone. He is a man without enemies," Mr Krishna said.

Amnesty appeal

On Friday, the authorities were given an audio cassette in which Rajkumar appealed to the authorities to grant Veerappan an amnesty.

Veerappan and his gang have been active in the jungles of southern India for 20 years.

He also appealed to police not to attempt an armed rescue operation and called on his fans to keep calm.

Rajkumar is a legend in Karnataka

The kidnapping triggered sporadic violence and a general strike in Karnataka's state capital, Bangalore.

"I am safe. Veerappan has been looking after me well. It [the abduction] is just an accident,'' Rajkumar said in the message recorded in the bandit's forest hideout in southern India.

Rajkumar belongs to the Kannadiga community, the dominant group in Karnataka, while Veerappan is a Tamil.

Veerappan and his gang, said to number about 15, have terrorised police and forest authorities in three southern Indian states - Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala - for nearly two decades.

Now in his mid-fifties, Veerappan is accused of killing more than 100 people and smuggling millions of dollars worth of sandalwood and ivory.