Two persons were arrested in Guwahati for allegedly circulating text messages offering to kill Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for Rs 5 crore, IANS reported on Friday quoting the police. The men, who are employees of Guwahati Medical College and Hospital, were arrested on Tuesday and were remanded to 14 days in judicial custody by a local court.
“We have arrested them on interception of SMSes which state that they were ready to bomb the education minister during any of the forthcoming public meetings at Jalukbari area and demanded Rs 5 crore for the job,” Assam Director General of Police Mukesh Sahay said.
The police are questioning the accused to ascertain if there was a definite plan to carry out the act or if it was just a mischief being played, he added.
The text messages were also sent to mobile numbers registered in the names of former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, former minister Rockybul Hussain and Congress leader Dulu Ahmed, Hindustan Times reported.
A case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including attempt to murder and criminal conspiracy, has been registered against the accused.
A Bharatiya Janata Party leader, Sarma, holds finance, tourism, education and health portfolios in the Assam Cabinet. He was a minister in the previous Congress regime led by Gogoi in the state, before he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2015.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!