Missing nuclear scientist sends jitters nationwide, search intensifies

"We don't know under what circumstances he went missing. Intelligence officials have intensified the search," Home Minister P. Chidambaram told reporters, as the mystery continued over the disappearance of Loknath Mahalingam.

Mahalingam, 47, a senior scientist working with Kaiga Atomic Power Plant for the last 10 years, was reported missing on Monday shortly after he went out from his home for a morning walk in the project township leaving behind his mobile phone and wallet.

Though Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), which runs the Kaiga power station, said that Mahalingam did not have access to critical nuclear information, yet, his very disappearance is baffling, as he was in good health and spirit.

Ever since the scientist, who was responsible for imparting training in routine operation and maintenance to the plant personnel, which is essentially an educational and skill development function, was reported missing, the Intelligence Bureau (IB), the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Karnataka police force have launched a massive hunt to find him.

Though the government officials are tight-lipped about the disappearance of the scientist, sources close to the development said the investigators suspect that he could have been kidnapped or perhaps attacked by wild animals such as a man-eating leopard, which prowl the thick jungles adjacent to the power plant.

According to Kaiga project director Sanatkumar, Mahalingam did not pose any threat to the nation as, technically, he was not a "scientist but a mechanical engineer designated as scientific officer."

"Mahalingam was in charge of training the new recruits. He had no access to strategic documents and was not involved in any strategic program," he said.

Agrees Uttara Kannada District Superintendent of Police Raman Gupta. Mahalingam, Gupta said, did not pose any grave security threat, as he was a non-classified scientist i.e. he did not have access to critical nuclear data.

"We're yet to get any credible clue to track the missing scientist. The operation is on and hopefully we'll soon make some positive progress in our operation," Gupta said. "We're leaving no stone unturned to trace the scientist."

Gupta said the police are investigating the possibility of Mahalingam being attacked and taken away by some wild animal as "the area is surrounded by 1000 acres of dense forests."

"There are four investigating teams. We cannot negate any possibilities at this juncture. But the geography of the area is posing as a hindrance in our investigations. It is not easy to find a person in the deep forests. The area is surrounded by 1000 acres of dense forests. Forest officers are also cooperating with us in the investigation. Their report is awaited," Gupta said.

Gupta also expressed concerns that Mahalingam could have drowned in the river Kali, which flows past the township.

"We've intensified the search operations and the divers have joined us. They are trying to search for Mahalingam in the river Kali. We're hopeful of getting some clues about the scientist soon," he said.

Gupta also said the scientist's wife does not suspect any foul play as they do not have any enemies. "His wife has lodged a complaint. They don't have any specific doubts," the police chief said.

For the moment, the police have ruled out kidnapping, as there has been no ransom demand from possible kidnappers. However, police authorities said they found it very suspicious that his wife filed a police complaint only on Monday evening.

Incidentally, this is the second time Mahaligam has been reported missing.

Earlier, when the scientist worked with Madras Atomic Power Project (MAPP) in Kalpakkam near Chennai, in Tamil Nadu, he was reported missing for a few days but returned home a few days later, saying he had gone away to find spiritual solace.

Meanwhile, uncomfortable questions are being raised about how can a senior official of a high-sensitive nuclear facility like the Kaiga atomic plant be untraceable for five days especially since Kaiga is among the 14 safeguarded facilities under the Indo-US nuclear deal.

According to G. Nageshwar Rao, director (operations), NPCIL, Mahalingam's disappearance indicates that security in the 100-acre township was lax. The township is located about 16 km from the power plant and the transit area has no security.

"The CISF is responsible for the security in the township. But his (Mahalingam) disappearance has caused us concern. We will now be reviewing the security measures. It will be tightened at the entrance of the township and round-the-clock watch vigil would be kept on the movement of unidentified persons and vehicles in the township," Rao said.