Intelligence Bureau additional director R.N. Behura, who had suffered serious injuries in a road accident on April 9, died here on Sunday.
Mr Behura (56), an IPS officer of 1979 batch of the Manipur-Tripura cadre, breathed his last at the Guwahati Neurological Research Centre (GNRC), where he was undergoing treatment for past six days. He is survived by wife and a son.
Mr Behura had grievous injury when his car collided with a truck near Sonapur on April 9. He was on his way back to Guwahati from Numaligarh Refinery in upper Assam’s Golghat district. Mr Behura had gone to investigate the blast which took place at refinery on April 7. The Ulfa had claimed responsibility of the blast, which was found to be an accidental blast.
Additional DG of the Assam police Pallab Bhattacharya, who was travelling in the same car, was also injured in the incident and undergoing treatment but his condition is stated to be stable.
Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi, who rushed to the hospital soon after the news of his demise came, said, “Mr Behura was one of the finest officers of India. His demise was a great lose to the Intelligence Bureau as well as country. We have lost a good intelligence officer who possessed huge knowledge about the Northeastern states.” Paying his last respects Mr Gogoi also consoled his family members and termed Mr Behura as one of the best officers he has worked with.
Mr Behura had served for years in the Northeast in various capacities, besides as joint director at the Intelligence Bureau headquarters in New Delhi. His body will be taken to his home state Orissa, where his last rite will be performed.