Power ministry asks Assam gov to give security to NEEPCO officials

Shillong, Jan 16 (UNI) Following repeated extortion demands and killing of five persons by militants recently, the Union Power Ministry has directed the Assam government to provide adequate security to North East Electric Power Corporation limited (NEEPCO) officials stationed at Umrangsu, North Cachar Hills.

The Power Ministry directed the Assam government that additional troops were stationed at NEEPCO installments in the militant-affected North Cachar hills district of Assam.

Apart from increasing the strength of Assam police in the area, the ministry has also sought redeployment of Assam Rifles' troops.

On Monday five persons, including a girl, were killed after militants from the Jewel Gorlosa faction, Dima Halam Daogah (DHD) randomly opened fire inside Kopli Power House campus,about 20 kms from Umrangsu town.

A top NEEPCO official said here, on condition of anonymity, the militants had gunned down the five persons after NEEPCO officials did not give in to extortion demands served by the Jewel Garlosa faction of DHD.

'' It's true that NEEPCO officials had received extortion demands from militants. Monday's killing was due to frustration after some of the officials refused to give in to the militants extortion demand,'' the official said.

Immediately, after the killing on Monday, NEEPCO wrote to the Union Power Ministry requesting protection of its officials.

The Ministry swiftly responded and communicated with Assam government. '' The reaction has been swift and we are happy with the outcome,'' the official said.

Meanwhile, according to the official, the Assam government has responded positively to the request and has already stepped up security in the area with troops of the Assam Rifles', Assam armed battalion and other paramilitary forces has been deployed in and around Kopli power house.

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