Patna: Two engineers of the National Hydel Power Corporation (NHPC) were kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in Bihar's Vaishali district today (Nov 19, 2004).

Vaishali district magistrate H R Srinivas told that the gunmen stopped the vehicle of P Mandal, superintending engineer and K K Singh, chief engineer of NHPC near Dighi level crossing at Hajipur when they were travelling from Patna to Bettiah to supervise construction work.

They were pulled out of the vehicle and forcibly taken away in another vehicle, he said.

Following reports of the kidnap, the special task force (STF) was engaged to secure the safe release of the engineers.

NHPC had complained to the State Government about the threat perception and demanded adequate security to its workmen posted in Bihar for construction of rural roads and national highways.

The State Government has given the contract for implementing the schemes for construction of roads under the rural development department to central agencies, including NHPC.