Independent candidate receives extortion note

Guwahati, Mar 22 (UNI) Independent candidate Bijay Krishna Nath, contesting from west Guwahati constituency in the coming Assembly polls today said he had received an extortion letter demanding Rs 25 lakh, purportedly from the banned ULFA.

Releasing a photocopy of the extortion note before the media here today, Mr Nath hinted at the possible hand of his political rivals behind the note, saying ULFA could not have sent it.

He said the police have assured him of adequate security.

''I don't have any black money to give as I run a small vernacular newspaper,'' he said adding, ''I am not afraid and will not bow out of the election arena.'' Mr Nath said he was confident of winning, with ''people's moral support''.

He said that he had spoken to Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami, the chief negotiator of ULFA peace talks, about the extortion letter and phone call threats.

The independent candidate said Ms Goswami was 'shocked and surprised' over the matter and promised to take it up with the ULFA.

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