Goswami says Ram son came to her for help

“He called me up and asked me if I could contact Barua and secure his father’s release. But I told him it all depended on Barua calling me up,” she said, adding that her communication with the ULFA leader was one-way. “I don’t have Barua’s contact number. I talk to him only when he calls up.”

“The FCI official’s son called me up thrice in June. I assured him I would surely discuss his father’s release if Barua gives me a call. But the ULFA leader has not called me up even once in the past one-and-a-half months,” Goswami said. She also said Praveen’s uncle also called her to find out if she could establish any contact with Barua.

Goswami also said she had given Praveen the cell number of a member of the People’s Consultative Group (PCG), a group nominated by the ULFA to conduct parleys with the Government of India. “I don’t know whether he (Praveen) contacted the PCG member or not,” she said.

On whether she was aware of any report that Ram’s family had paid a sum of Rs 12 lakh to one “middleman” for passing on to the ULFA to set the FCI official free, Goswami said she was not aware of it. “I don’t know anything about any such transaction,” she said.

“It is a terrible thing that has happened. I never imagined they would kill him, and that too in such a brutal manner,” said Goswami, who has been playing facilitator between the Government and the ULFA.

Meanwhile, Food Corporation of India has requested state governments in the Northeastern region to step up security for its employees after the killing of Ram.

“Though we have not suggested any deadline for the demand (for security) I think the Government, taking note of the situation, will act swiftly,” FCI official M C Tiwari, who is officiating on behalf of Ram, said on Tuesday. There are around 56 FCI godowns in the Northeast and 15 zonal and district offices.

The body of Ram, who was kidnapped by ULFA militants from Guwahati on April 17 was found on June 30 from Baksa district. “Police presence has been enhanced around every Central government institution, including FCI,” DIG, Central Western Range G P Singh said.

He, however, clarified “When it comes to individuals and particular offices and godowns, the authorities will have to assess the threat and take necessary measures. If any individual is threatened for ransom or any other matter it has to be reported to the police and then action will be taken.”

PM condemns Ram’s killing

New Delhi: Condemning the killing of Ram, the FCI head in the Northeast who was kidnapped by suspected ULFA militants, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said the “dastardly and shameful act” has shocked the country. In his message to the family, the Prime Minister said such acts needed to be condemned in the strongest terms, PM’s Media Adviser Sanjaya Baru said. The Prime Minister said the country was with the family members in their moment of grief, Baru added.