Silchar/Imphal, April 28, 2008: The Okram Ibobi Singh government today sought a formal report from the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (Neepco) on “security measures� at the Tipaimukh hydel project site, after militants ripped apart a drilling rig with explosives and brought work to a standstill.
The militants, suspected to belong to the Hmar People’s Convention (Democratic), attacked the project site at Tipaimukh in Manipur’s Churachandpur district on Saturday. Panic-stricken workers and engineers fled the site after the attack.
The news of the sabotage reached Neepco authorities in Shillong yesterday afternoon after a group of 25 staff members from the project site arrived in the company’s Silchar office.
An official spokesperson in Imphal said, “A senior Neepco official reported the incident on Saturday evening. We are yet to receive a formal complaint or report from Neepco. We will do the needful after getting the report.�
“We are also waiting for a detailed report Without which we cannot speak of the extent of damage,� the official said.
Sources said the Union home ministry has decided to deploy at least three battalions of central troops in Tipaimukh village soon.
Neepco’s project director T. Borghohain is now in touch with Manipur police authorities to beef up security.
Source: The Telegraph