Rail work suspended amid contradictory claims
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 28 2012: After the UNC has lifted its restriction on the Jiribam-Tupul railway work, the same has been suspended following an alleged physical assault on the Director of Nayak Infrastructure Private Limited (NIPL) by the Executive Engineer of Jiri-Tupul Northern Frontier Railway Project.

EE V Hauzel reportedly assaulted NIPL Director Biswajit Nayak inside the latter's office at Noney at about 3 pm of February 26 .

However, Executive Engineer with the North East Frontier Railway, V Hauzel on being contacted refuted the allegation that he had assaulted the contractor.Speaking to The Sangai Express, the Engineer said that he was alone and his driver was in the vehicle when he visited the site where the contractor stayed.

"I was alone, my driver was in the vehicle.

In fact they could have over powered me and caused me harm if matter had come to such a stage," he said.

Moreover the camp was guarded by IRB personnel, said Hauzel and added that he did scold the contractor for not adhering to certain instructions.

Construction site of the retaining wall

Elaborating, the EE said, "On February 21, I called Munna along with his engineers to my site camp at Awangkhul.

During the meeting I instructed him to extend the retaining wall before casting...that he had to excavate the earth and put in steel (reinforcement)" .

On February 26, I went to the work site to inspect but did not find Munna, said the Engineer and added that he sent a word to the contractor to turn up which was not complied with.

The casting work of the retaining wall was in progress then, he said and added that on his way back to Imphal he (the Engineer) dropped in at the camp of Munna and found him sleeping.

There is no question of me assaulting him, asserted Hauzel and added that the charges are baseless and without foundation.

Since the day of assault, earth work and construction of minor bridges for the railway project have been suspended.

NIPL staff have been demanding punishment and replacement of the accused EE.

They maintained that they would not resume the railway work until and unless their demands are fulfilled.

Speaking to media persons today, some NIPL accused EE V Hugal of dictating to construct a retaining wall at Lukhambi, Noney without any foundation even though the same structure is not present in the drawing of the project.

When he was told that it would be disastrous to construct the retaining wall without any foundation, the EE not only assaulted Director Biswajit Nayak but also made strong threats.