``If they (the trio) are harmed and their lives are in danger, Netrikan editor (A S Mani) and the reporter (Paayum Puli) will join my hit list,'' Veerappan has warned, in a video-recorded interview to Tamil magazine Netrikan.

According to the magazine editor Mani, the smuggler has made no fresh demands, but obviously the surrender of three of his aides is only a test launch. Ascertaining the two state governments' attitude towards the surrendered aides, he would follow suit, according to the magazine editor. In the nearly five-hour long cassette, Veerappan has said that he would surrender only in Tamil Nadu in the presence of the Netrikan editor and the two chief ministers. On why he chose the magazine Netrikan instead ofNakkeeran, which was his favourite for quite sometime, the maverick smuggler explains, ``I have lost faith in Nakkeeran.'' He even has a couple of unsavoury words reserved for Nakkeeran.

Veerappan, it appears, had made up his mind on sending three of his aides -- Anburaj, Appasamy and Thangaraj -- with journalist Payum Puli, even before granting him (Puli) an audience. In the audio cassette despatched to Paayum Puli and Mani on April 3, the smuggler clearly says that he would be sending three of his men with the journalists.