Cong MP seeks HM's intervention to ensure safe return of 2 abducted oil firm staff

Eagerly looking forward to your response, Gogoisaid in his letter to Shah.Senior minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma had urgedULFAIs Commander in Chief Paresh Barua with folded handsto release the two men unharmed.The two abducted men are Drilling SuperintendentPranab Kumar Gogoi and Radio Operator Ram Kumar.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi onSunday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seekingimmediate action to ensure safe release of two oil sectoremployees from the clutches of militant outfit ULFA(I).

Two employees of Quippo Oil and Gas InfrastructureLtd were abducted by the insurgents of United Liberation Frontof Asom -Independent on December 21 last year from Kumchaikhahydrocarbon drilling site in Changlang district of ArunachalPradesh.

The outfit had reportedly demanded a ransom of Rs 20crore for the release of the two employees and had setFebruary 16 as the deadline which was later extended, Gogoimentioned in the letter.

The MP, however, did not mention the extended date.

Recently, the ULFA(I) has threatened to take an''ultimate step'' against the two persons, the MP said in hisletter.

The ULFA(I) in an email to PTI had said that talkswith the Quippo authorities held from February 16 to 19 have''failed to reach any favourable conclusion and an ultimatestep on the two will be taken next week''.

''Given the sensitive nature of the matter and thepotential threat to the lives of the two persons, I urge youto take the matter into immediate consideration forappropriate action.

''The government should ensure safe return of the twoemployees. Eagerly looking forward to your response,'' Gogoisaid in his letter to Shah.

Senior minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma had urgedULFA(I)'s Commander in Chief Paresh Barua ''with folded hands''to release the two men unharmed.

The two abducted men are Drilling SuperintendentPranab Kumar Gogoi and Radio Operator Ram Kumar. While Gogoiis from Assam's Sivasagar district, Ram Kumar hails fromBihar.