Asom Govt says FCI officer PC Ram alive

Guwahati, July 7 (UNI) In an apparent volte-face, the Asom Government today indicated that abducted FCI executive director P C Ram could still be alive, a day after Ram's dramatic 'resurrection'.

Senior minister Bhumidhar Barman, who is looking after the affairs of the government in absence of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, told reporters here, ''Intelligence officials have confirmed that Ram is still alive and is in the state.

''I am also a doctor by profession. And from my experience it transpires that the body recovered was of a person in the age group of 42-45. But Ram was much older. Moreover, it appeared that the deceased was killed by sharp weapons, which I believe, could not be the handiwork of ULFA,'' Dr Barman was quoted as saying.

When asked about ULFA's demand to free two jailed ULFA cadres for the release of Ram, the minister said, ''We have not yet discussed the matter. We are waiting for the DNA test result.'' Meanwhile, official sources said the government position would be clear when Mr Gogoi returns after a fortnight long trip to the US and UK.

The family members of abducted Ram were convinced that he was alive after recieving a call ''purportedly'' from him last evening.

''We are convinced that he is alive. His son Prabin, wife and daughter and I spoke to him for over eight minutes and each of us asked some personal details which only Ram can tell.

'' said Mr Balak Ram, the elder brother P C Ram.

Incidentally, police found a decomposed body on June 29 in the interiors of Baska district of lower Assam, which was identified as that of P C Ram by his house maid Junu Murmu, son Pravin Ram and 21 other FCI employees.

The body was taken home to Ghaziabad and cremated by Ram's family members.

''But now we are convinced that he is alive and will be freed after the release of the two ULFA leaders,'' said Mr Balak Ram over the phone from New Delhi.

The ULFA meanwhile demanded release of the arrested cadre Pallav Saikia and Mrinal Hazarika in lieu of Mr Ram. This has put the government in an awkward position.

The DNA samples were collected from Prabin Ram this morning at Ghaziabad by an Assam Police officer. The DNA samples of the decomposed body was already sent to Hyderabad for matching.

''Yes we have asked for a DNA testing. We made a grave mistake in the identification. We are now convinced that he is alive,'' said son Prabin. They met Union Minister Akhilesh Prasad Singh and Assam DGP R K Mathur in New Delhi last night.

UNI