27
The suicide case of Assistant Engineer of Public Works Department (PWD) in Assam has caught fire. The Congress has demanded a CBI inquiry into the incident.
Guwahati: The suicide case of Assistant Engineer of Public Works Department (PWD) in Assam has caught fire. The Congress has demanded a CBI inquiry into the incident. The Congress said that the engineer was allegedly under heavy pressure from the seniors to ignore the disturbances in the construction of a mini stadium in his posting area in Bongaigaon. Leader of Opposition in Assam Legislative Assembly Devvrat Saikia has written a letter to the Governor urging the CBI or any other independent central agency to conduct an inquiry. The Congress has also announced a statewide protest on Sunday. The Congress has described this incident as a serious reflection of corruption and administrative pressure within the department. Assistant Engineers, who hail from Guwahati and posted in Bongigaon, were found dead in their apartments on Tuesday.
Three arrested for abetment to suicide
Police said that till now an executive engineer, a sub-divisional officer and a contractor of the Public Works Department have been arrested for abetment of suicide. A suicide note was found near the body, in which he allegedly stated that the two officials had put a lot of pressure on them for the construction of a mini stadium in Bongaigaon. He alleged that he was pressurized to pass the bills introduced by the contractor. The accused were arrested after the incident. The police is confirming the allegations in the note. Saikia in a letter to Governor Laxman Prasad Acharya claimed that the deceased engineer had complained to his mother and family members of harassment, especially alleging that his senior officials used to ask him to compromise the quality of construction repeatedly.
CBI inquiry demands
Saikia (NIDA) ie NABARD Infrastructure Development Assistance Project also demanded a thorough independent investigation into financial irregularities in the construction of mini stadium running at 40 different sites in the state. Demanding compensation to the family of Assistant Engineer, the Congress leader said that although the state government has already ordered a departmental inquiry, the investigation should be handed over to an independent central agency like CBI. State Congress Committee General Secretary (Organization) Bipul Gogoi said in a circular shared with the media that the incident highlights the failure of the state government in ensuring a safe and supportive work environment for its employees, especially women under the BJP administration. All district party presidents have been directed to organize a protest program for demanding CBI inquiry and justice for the Assistant Engineer. Gogoi said that these protests will include all Congress leaders and members to increase the voice of women and advocate a safe workplace.
Also read: Two police officers of Andhra Pradesh died, the car of officers going from Vijayawada to Hyderabad collided with the divider
