2 government staffers held for SMS to Congress leaders on killing Himanta

GUWAHATI: Assam Police have arrested two state government employees for allegedly sending SMS messages to three Congress leaders, including former CM Tarun Gogoi, seeking Rs 5 cr for killing health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. State DGP Mukesh Sahay said, "The two persons have been arrested under IT laws. Our investigation will be based after ascertaining the motive." The two persons, Fakaruddin Ali and Paban Ali, were arrested by Kamrup (rural) police from North Guwahati after their mobile phones were traced. They are employed in the health department and are voters of Sarma's Jalukbari constituency.

Sarma, who is a Z category protectee, said, "When I was in Congress, these two persons were in the party too. Last election also they were still with Congress. It is difficult for me to say anything now. But I am surprised to know that Tarun Gogoi has a mobile phone. In my 15 years of association with Congress, I have been close with him (Gogoi) but I, or for that matter anybody among us, never knew he had a mobile phone. We used connect with him on landline phones or through his OSD."