Inquiry panel gives clean chit to Basumatary in attack on Padma

GUWAHATI, Dec 11: The Assam Government today tabled the Justice (Retd) PJ Agarwala Commission report on the attack on Sootea MLA Padma Hazarika in Sootea on December 13, 2007 along with the action taken report (ATR) in the Assembly. The Commission gave a clean chit to Congress’ former Sootea MLA Praneswar Basumatary, who was allegedly close to the NDFB, in the attack. There was an allegation that Basumatary was behind the attack on Hazarika.

The Commission, however, said it was a well-planned attack on the life of the AGP MLA, and involvement of a large number of people or group in the attack could not be ruled out. “Due to lack of material evidences there is no scope to identify the group,” the report said.

AGP president Chandra Mohan Patowary then said the threat to the life of Padma Hazarika still persists, but surprisingly the Government has lessened his security since the last seven days.

Forest and Environment Minister Rockybul Hussain then said he will bring the matter to the notice of the Chief Minister. THE SENTINEL