Mahanta in a spot on officer’s transfer

There has been widespread complaints that Das was replaced primarily because of the “leaking out” of the contents of the FIR to the press, with the Opposition Congress party saying it was part of an attempt of the AGP-led Government to hush up the matter and protect the Minister.

The FIR had quoted one Rakesh Baruah, mentioned as “cultural secretary” of the ULFA’s Darrang district unit, of having made a statement to the Army regarding Zoiinath’s `strong’ links with the militant group and that he had even provided them funds and vehicles.

This was however promptly denied by Sharma, which was also followed by a joint press note issued by State Chief secretary Vijendra Singh Jafa and the Army’s fourth corps GOC Lt Gen R K Sawhney saying the ULFA was out to drag in names of ministers when apprehended.

The transfer of the O-C incidentally was followed by Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta’s visit to Mangaldoi, where he addressed a party rally and defended the transfer describing it as “routine.”

The O-C himself has gone on record saying that he had applied for a transfer to Guwahati, his home-town in August last; the district police superintendent Pallav Chattacharyya reportedly confirmed it.

The Congress however has refused to buy the story, with State president Tarun Gogoi insisting that Das was indeed shifted to shield the Minister and manipulate the investigations. The police officer, with whom the army had lodged the FIR on October 23, incidentally was also the investigating officer (IO) of the case.

“It is in the interest of Justice that Minister Sharma must resign and not attempt to deflect the investigations,” Gogoi said.