Kaiga authorities seek central and state intelligence help

Kaiga, Nov 30 (ANI): Authorities at the Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant on Monday said, they have initiated a probe and sought the assistance of both Central and state intelligence agencies in the investigation.

Addressing a media conference here, Kaiga Power Station Director J P Gupta said: "The investigation is on over the contamination of water. We have sought the help from both central as well as state intelligence agencies."

"We are examining the list of employees who were present inside the plan on November 24," he added.

Meanwhile, investigating agencies are finding it tough to probe the alleged leak at the Kaiga nuclear plant here, as no CCTV cameras were placed near the water cooler, the place where the leak took place.

According to sources, investigating officers are now working with the footage gathered of nearby areas. They have also narrowed the probe down to 10-15 suspects.

In New Delhi, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Prithviraj Singh Chavan said : "There is no point of anybody coming from outside because it is a very high security area."

He added, "Every body is being talked to and very soon it would be known as to who did and why."

The Kaiga-1 (220 MWe) uses natural uranium as fuel and heavy water as both coolant and moderator.

On Saturday, around 30 workers affected and two received the uppermost limit of radiation of three rem (rvntgen equivalent, man) a year in an emergency, prescribed by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.

The Board monitors safety in nuclear installations. (ANI)