KARIMGANJ, Feb 4? Tension prevails in the campus of NEEPCO at Umrangsu of NC Hills district following the threat given by the DHD outfit. DHD extremists now demanding 20% from the salary of the employees of NEEPCO as annual tax towards formation of Dimaland. DHD has been collecting taxes from the salary of the employees. It may be recalled that in the year 1999 three executive engineers of NEEPCO Hiren Kalita, Hari Thapa and Abu Akhtar Jahan were kidnapped by the DHD extremists for not responding to the demands of DHD and after one month they were released on payment of Rs 40 lakh.
After that incident NEEPCO provided tight security to their top officials including the Deputy General Manager, senior manager and working manager. Repeated threatening by DHD compelled the project deputy general manager to collect 20% from the salaries of the employees as tax in the year 2000 and total amount collected loan Rs 20 lakh, but Haflong police foiled his attempt to hand over the amount to DHD and seized the whole amount from his custody.
However, next year three armed force camps were set up in Umrangsu; Khangdem power house and Kapilee power house. After that the DHD created terror in all the centres of NEEPCO. The District Congress Committee, Karimganj is making all-out effects, to win the Ratabari Assembly seat in the polls following the sudden demise of Ratabari MLA Ratish Ranjan Chaudhury. By-elections will be held on February 26 next.
Saturday, DCC president recently held a meeting of DCC where leaders from grass root level attended. He invited views and suggestion from the leaders as well as workers of Ratabari regarding selection of the Congress candidate. He also disclosed that a list of candidates will be prepared and Congress high command nominate the Congress candidate on the basis of the list furnished by DCC, Karimganj. District Congress Committee has also held meetings with all MPs, Cong MLAs and ministers in connection with the by-election of Ratabari.