ULFA sets conditions for release of FCI boss

Guwahati, Jun 12 (UNI) The ULFA has set conditions for the release of FCI NE chief, almost two months after his abduction.

Serious concerns have been raised over the safety of abducted Food Corporation of India (FCI) North East chief P C Ram after the ULFA demanded release of two of its jailed leaders against the 'safety' of Mr Ram.

In a telephonic statement by 'publicity secretary' of ULFA's 709 battalion Indrajit Medhi to local media, the ULFA demanded the release of 'captain' Mrinal Hazarika of 28 battalion and 'captain' Pallab Saikia of 27 battalion to ensure the safety of Mr Ram.

The 'publicity secretary' was quoted to have said that the outfit would not be responsible for the safety of Mr Ram if the two leaders were not released within the next 48 hours.

He said the ULFA had earlier placed the demand but the government had not responded. Medhi, however, was silent on releasing the FCI NE chief if the ULFA leaders were released.

The Asom government had claimed on June 8 that Mr Ram was 'safe and in good health'.

Government spokesperson and State Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma had, however, ruled out any operation to rescue Mr Ram immediately, stating that his safe release would be secured.

A special four-member investigating 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 last while he was returning home from office.

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

Reports suggested that ULFA was behind the kidnapping, and it had demanded a ransom of Rs 21 crore for his release.

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

The 709 battalion of the ULFA, which operates in lower Asom, was suspected to be behind the abduction. A massive operation was also launched by the Army and police to trace Mr Ram in different parts of lower Asom and Bhutan border.

Meanwhile, it was a day of homecoming for two other abducted persons of the state.

News of safe release of fire engineer Debashis Kakoty reached his home town Sivsagar early this morning from Nigeria, 24 days after he was kidnapped.

The militants said they had released Debashis and a few other hostages as a 'humanitarian gesture.' Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi hailed the release and according to his secretariat, the Ministry of External Affairs has been approached for safe and early return of Kakoty.

In another homecoming incident, Sonari school boy Rajat Agarwalla also returned home safely this morning. He was abducted on June 7 last.

Though no group has claimed responsibility, the Adivasi National Liberation of Asom (ANLA) was suspected to be behind it.

UNI