Date:25/02/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/02/25/stories/2005022518120500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Assistant engineer attacks superior

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, FEB. 24. Vidyuth Soudha, the State headquarters of AP Transco and AP Genco, was rocked by an alleged attack with an axe on a superintending engineer (SE) by an assistant engineer (AE).

The SE suffered minor injuries on the hands, left side of the stomach and below the chin. He was admitted to NIMS and is stated to be safe. The AE was taken into custody by the Punjagutta police and a case was booked against him under Section 307 of IPC.

According to Transco officials, the AE, M.V.S. Srikanth worked under the SE, M.N. Gururaj, in the grid operation cell of the complex till he was recently transferred to Visakhapatnam.

Motive a mystery

Mystery, however, surrounds the motive behind the incident. The Transco JMD (Vigilance & Security), M. Malakondaiah, and other officials hurriedly called reporters to say the attack was not due to harassment.

According to Mr. Malakondaiah, the AE came here from Visakhapatnam on leave and reached the grid operation cell with the axe. He attacked him around 9.15 a.m. The other employees overpowered and confined him to a room after alerting the police.