FCI official’s killing: DGP in spot over ‘conversation’

“Companies do meet them (ULFA leaders) outside Assam, especially in Kolkata,” Mathur apparently told Mittal, adding that ULFA cadres do not carry weapons outside the state. However, he cautions, it is unsafe to meet them in north Bengal.

In-charge of FCI operations in the region, Ram had been abducted by ULFA from Guwahati on April 17 and found dead three months later, allegedly in a crossfire.

The conversation between Mittal and Mathur, first aired by the local NE TV, also indicated that the DGP had engaged Khagen Sharma (IGP, Special Branch) and D K Pathak (IGP, Law and Order) to negotiate with ULFA to help the family.

While Mathur was not available for comment, Assam Police spokesman Bhaben Bez told The Indian Express he would not speak on the issue.

The DGP, however, appeared briefly on the TV channel on Saturday, in which he admitted talking to Mittal when Ram was in ULFA custody. “Yes, family members of Ram did talk to me over the telephone,” Mathur said.

IGP Khagen Sharma, on the other hand, insisted there was nothing objectionable that the DGP said in the phone conversation. “People do talk to police officers when they face such situations, and various possibilities are definitely discussed. But, as far as I can recall the taped conversation aired by the channel, the DGP had not told Ram’s family to pay any ransom,” Sharma told The Indian Express. He added it was also normal for a DGP “to advise people in such situations to contact the IGP (Special Branch) or IGP (Law and Order)”.