ITANAGAR, April 8 � Flouting the State government�s persistent calls for creating a conducive atmosphere in the State for outside investors with an �investor-friendly� policy already in place, three miscreants, armed with sharp-edged weapons, recently beat up an identical number of officials of a private power developer, inflicting one of them with critical wounds, who succumbed to his injuries the next day.
The unfortunate attack and subsequent death of the official of a private power developer came barely a few days ahead of the start of 5th National Hydro Power Convention at Tawang on April 9 and 10 next. The two-day national convention, first of its kind in this resource-rich State, is scheduled to be chaired by Bharatsingh Solanki, the Union Minister of State for Power.
The distressed power developer is Patel Engineering Ltd, engaged by the State government for developing the Rahung micro hydel project, which is situated about 20 km off Bomdila, the headquarters of West Kameng district.
The �unfortunate� attack that took place on March 31 last following a scuffle regarding hiring of a vehicle, which was reportedly denied to the miscreants, all locals, by the officials of Patel Engineering Ltd, left its chief geologist F Siddique, engineer Santosh Patel and foreman A Singh critically injured. The seriously injured Siddique breathed his last on April 1, on way to Tezpur, where he was referred to for better treatment.
Confirming the incident, West Kameng SP Paldan informed that all the accused � Yeshi Sharmu, Kektang Sharmu and Tengo Sharmu � in their early 20s, were arrested on the April Fool�s Day itself from Dirang and were put behind the bar.
The SP said the miscreants mercilessly beat up the officials of the power construction company with reverse side of daos and in the process, the geologist sustained severe injuries. Siddique was referred from the District Hospital Bomdila to a Tezpur hospital, where he was declared brought dead.
The �heinous crime� has evoked strong condemnation from the Kameng and Tawang District Development Society, a youth body comprising representatives from East Kameng, West Kameng and Tawang districts.
The Society has appreciated the West Kameng SP for his prompt action in apprehending the culprits involved in the incident. Besides urging the authorities concerned to award exemplary punishment to the culprits, the Society appealed to the government to deploy adequate security personnel to ensure safety and security to the officials of all power developers in the State.
