NEW DELHI, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The radiation leakage in a state-run nuclear power plant in southern India is an "act of sabotage" possibly by a disgruntled employees at the plant, India's Atomic Energy Commission chief Anil Kakodkar said on Sunday.
Some 50 employees of highly protected Kaiga Atomic Power Plant in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, southern India, fell ill for being exposed to the radiation leakage, after they drank water from a cooler in the operating area on Nov. 24.
"Somebody deliberately put the tritiated water vials into a drinking water cooler. Therefore, we are investigating who is behind the malevolent act. People involved will be punished under the Atomic Energy and other acts after investigation," Kakodkar told the media.
"The investigations are being carried out from two angles. First to ascertain as to who contaminated the water cooler with tritiated heavy water, and the second from radiation protection angle," said Kakodkar.
Tritium, also known as Hydrogen-3, is used in research, fusion reactors and neutron generators.
The central government also confirmed the "sabotage" at the nuclear plant and said a high-level probe has been ordered.
"It could be the handiwork of a disgruntled employee and we are awaiting the results of the inquiry," Indian Minister of Science and Technology Prithviraj Chavan told the media in the national capital.
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