Former CM moves Patil over Ram killing

Guwahati, Jul 14 (UNI) Taking potshots at the state government over the killing of FCI Executive Director P C Ram, former Assam Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta today moved Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, seeking imposition of Article 355 in the state.

Apprising the Home Minister of the current law and order situation in the state, Mr Mahanta told the Home Minister in New Delhi that Ram's killing had yet again brought to fore the "failure" of the state government on the law and order front.

'' The failure of the security agencies in the state has been laid bare in the face of Ram's killing. When they could have rescued the FCI official alive, they ended up killing him, '' Mr Mahanta was quoted as telling the Home Minister during their meeting this morning.

Mr Mahanta, also the president of the AGP(P), alleged that lack of sincere effort from the state government cost the FCI official his life.

He said, '' It's surprising that even after the incident, the Chief Minister has not issued any statement. '' Alluding to the recent incidents of violence in the state, Mr Mahanta sought the intervention of the Centre in bringing normalcy and peace to the state.

He argued that Article 355 of the Constitution should be applied in case of Assam as the state government had failed to protect the life and property of the people.

'' It is surprising that a senior government official in the rank of Ram has remained untraced since three months and the state government's own men kills him in Dispur's backyard, '' the AGP(P) president said.

The two-time Chief Minister also visited Ram's family in New Delhi and conveyed his condolence.

UNI