Independent candidate served extortion note

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

Releasing a photocopy of the extortion note before the media here today, Mr Nath hinted at the possible hand of political rivals behind the note.

He, however, maintained that the ULFA had not sent the demand note.

He said the police had assured him to strenghten his security.

Mr Nath said, ''I don't have any black money to give as I run a small vernacular newspaper,'' adding, ''I am not afraid and will not bow out of the election arena.'' Mr Nath 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.

UNI BS SP PL SKM1517