GUWAHATI: Paresh Baruah led Ulfa (Independent) said that both Assam and Arunachal Pradesh chief ministers and security personnel under unified command structure would be responsible for any consequence to the two captive Quippo Oil and Gas Infrastructure Limited employees.

On December 20 last year, Ulfa (I) and NSCN had kidnapped two employees of the private company-Pranab Kumar Gogoi (51), drilling superintendent and radio operator Ram Kumar (35) were kidnapped from Kumchaikha hydrocarbon drilling site in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh.

Earlier this week, the outfit has also given an ultimatum to the Oil company to take steps (pay a ransom of Rs 20 crore) for the duo’s release within February 16. The outfit threatened to kill one of the captive employees if no action is taken within the time.

On Saturday, the outfit in an email statement on Saturday claimed that the Indian Army has launched an operation for last week under the instruction of both the chief ministers.

“We are sure that the operation was launched not to rescue the duo but to kill them and later put the blame on Ulfa (I). Therefore, we want to clarify that if the duo meets with any unexpected consequence then both Assam and Arunachal Pradesh chief ministers as well as the security forces,” said Rumel Asom, publicity wing member of Ulfa (I).

Earlier, on January 20, the militant outfits had released two video messages of the captive employees in which both of them were requesting the Quippo Oil and Gas Infrastructure Limited as well as the state government to take immediate steps for their safe release.

Ram Kumar, who hails from Bihar, urged Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to raise the matter with Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. “I have been held captive for almost a month now. I urge Bihar CM Nitish Kumar to speak with Assam Chief Minister for my safe return,” he said in his video message.

In a separate video, Gogoi, who hails from Assam, said: “Since our company has done nothing for our release, I would like to request chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal to kindly make arrangements for my safe return home.”

The militant outfit said that if the company doesn’t take action within February 16, then one of their kidnapped employees- Ram Kumar, radio operator of the company, may have to face dire consequences. 

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