Guwahati, March 4: The return of one of Assam’s most controversial IPS officers after a stint in Tripura has put the Tarun Gogoi government in a quandary.

One of those in the dock for the extra-judicial killings that occurred in the state between 1998 and 2001, G.M. Srivastava had been sent on deputation to New Delhi after the Congress took over the reins of power from the Asom Gana Parishad. He later went to Tripura as director-general of police.

Dispur is now in a fix over a suitable posting for Srivastava, known as much for his toughness as a police officer as for his penchant for controversy. The IPS officer from the Assam cadre had been summoned by the K.N. Saikia Commission last year for hearings in the probe into the “secret killings” during the erstwhile AGP-led coalition’s term in Dispur.

A senior official said the political leadership was divided on where to fit him in. “If he is given a high-profile post, it will surely draw flak from those who believe he had a hand in the secret killings. Another section of leaders is of the view that Assam needs a hardliner like him to accomplish tough law and order tasks.”

A source in the police department said only one director general-level posting was vacant at present. “Incumbent director-general of police R.N. Mathur is also holding additional charge of homeguards and civil defence. This is the only post at that level where he can be accommodated.”

Another post he might get is that of the chairman-cum-managing director of the Assam Police Housing Corporation.

An officer of the rank of additional director-general of police, Shankar Baruah, is occupying the post.

While most of the bureaucracy is of the view that he should be given an important posting, especially against the backdrop of violence involving Ulfa militants, the political leadership is apparently not yet ready for such a bold move.

“Only the other day, chief minister Tarun Gogoi described the secret killings as the blackest chapter in the state’s history. How can we then give an important position to one of the architects of those measures?” asked a Congress leader.

One of the alternatives being spoken of is to keep him in reserve. “His presence can be used as a threat against militants by brandishing him as the ultimate weapon. Militants should be given the message that if they do not budge, we will let him loose again,” the Congress leader said.