FCI boss safe and alive: Asom govt

Guwahati, Jun 8 (UNI) The Asom government today claimed that Food Corporation of India (FCI) executive director P C Ram was safe and healthy, almost two months after his abduction.

Government spokesperson Himanta Biswa Sharma said, ''We can say that Mr Ram is safe and healthy.'' He, however, ruled out any operation to rescue Mr Ram immediately, stating that his safe release would be secured.

A special four-member team, headed by a DSP, was formed by Guwahati SSP Surinder Kumar on June 6 to carry out the investigation.

Mr Ram and his driver were kidnapped on April 17 while he was returning home from office.

His driver was traced two days after the incident, while the official car was recovered in the lower Asom town of Rangiya.

Reports of the investigating team suggested ULFA's role behind the kidnapping, and that it had demanded Rs 21 crores ransom for his release.

However, Ram's son Praveen, who resides in Ghaziabad, had denied receiving any extortion demand.

A massive operation was launched by the Army and police to trace the abducted official in different parts of lower Asom and Bhutan border.

UNI