Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 07:
Following the assurances given by the Chief Minister that the demands raised by the Engineering Departments would be seriously looked into, the engineers of PWD have decided to withdraw their resignation letters and also to suspend their stir in the general interest of the public.
To protest the shooting on the leg of an Executive Engineer of the PWD by unidentified gunmen and to demand adequate security cover, 194 engineers of PWD, including its Chief Engineer had submitted their resignation letters to the Government.
Announcing the suspension of the stir and the withdrawal of their resignation letters, PWD Chief Engineer Ng Rashtrapati in a message to the Principal Secretary (Works), AE Ahmed said, �Consequent upon the assurances given by the Chief Secretary to the demands raised by the Engineers of the Engineering Departments, the agitation called by this department is suspended with immediate effect in the general interest of the State.
The resignation letters submitted by the Engineering officers of this department stand withdrawn�.
The settlement was reached during a meeting between the engineers and the Chief Minister today at 10 am.
During the meeting with the Chief Minister the engineers said that unidentified gunmen fired shots at the residence of EE, H Ranbir yesterday at about 10.30 pm.
The residence of the EE is located just 200 meters from the AR post at Chinga and 500 metres from Singjamei police station.
Till today morning, no police had come to investigate the matter; the engineers said and added that on the contrary when a family member went to the Singjamei police station to report the matter, he was asked to bring all the family members to the police station.
The engineers questioned why there were such lapses.
The engineers also asked the Government to provide them the Action Taken Report in connection with the shooting of RK Mobisana on July 1.They also demanded that the derogatory remarks passed against engineers in the Assembly on June 30 be expunged.
After a patient hearing the Chief Minister gave his assurance that adequate security would be provided to the engineers.
A written assurance was also issued by the Chief Secretary on the assurance given by the Government.
In the notification, the Chief Secretary said that all possible measures within the powers of the State Government including revamping of intelligence mechanism, adequate security, monitoring movements of engineers, search/cordon operation, picketing and patrolling etc would be taken up.
The Home Department will review the specific measures and effectiveness of the steps once a fortnight, said the CS and added that representatives of engineers will be consulted and informed about this.
Meanwhile, Imphal East SP S Kailun has issued a circular stating that security coverage will be provided to check the harassments and extortion threats to engineers, doctors and Government employees in Imphal East district.
Promising anonymity to any informer, the SP urged the public to contact the police if they anything suspicious.
The SP may be contacted on number 2225790 (O), 2413992 (R) (Mobile 9436026263); Addl SP 2406064 (O) (mobile 9436031454); SDPO 2222964 (9436023018); OC Cdo 2222669, 2229349 (R) (Mobile 9436023384); OC Irilbung 2571216; OC Heingang 2225948 and OC Lamlai 2426149.Imphal West SP Clay Khongsai has also given a list of telephone numbers to contact the police in case of any trouble.