The release of BBC Journalist Alan Johnston is being

celebrated all over the world. After 117 days of captivity by the Army of Islam, Alan, his family and the BBC are rightfully

jubilant in having overcome an ordeal successfully. There was no such relief for the kith and kin of Dr Phool Chand Ram of the FCI, who was abducted by the ULFA almost a month after Alan. While it was claimed that his body was found buried in far away Baksa, Assam, it now transpires that he is still alive.

While full details of these two kidnappings and their respective triumph and adversity are not available, the contrast in the approaches to the management of the incidents has brought the tragedy of being Ram into sharp focus. At the core is the wobbly hostage policy of the government. Surprisingly, despite proclamations that just 1 per cent of the population supports the Ulfa in Assam, his captors were able to trudge with a diabetic patient for over 70 days, changing locations every night. This seems to indicate that while general support may be limited, there are enough people who can be cajoled or coerced into providing lodging and boarding to Ulfa militants. This indicates that we need to do a reality check on the backing Ulfa enjoys.

Apart from security lapses, the political approach to the kidnapping appears to have been of sheer apathy. If Assam CM, Tarun Gogoi, had issued a firm directive to the security forces after April 17, it would have perhaps gone some way in securing Ram’s release. Policies integrating the Northeast with the hinterland are good stories in the media, but the security of those like Ram who take the risk of serving away from home does not get much play.

... contd.