OUR CORRESPONDENT
DIGBOI: At least four persons, including a transport driver and three loaders, were arrested by Digboi police on Monday late evening for committing theft from AOD-managed Gopaneri LPG Bottling plant in Tinsukia’s Digboi.
The accused were identified as Tarun Panika, the driver of intercepted transport No AS23CC 9170, Bokul Dangoria, Dibya Jyoti Borah of village Bortorani, and Suwi Urang of Mamorani village in Tinsukia district.
An FIR with ref No. IBP/GPNI/25-25/SIC/72, to this effect, was lodged by the senior plant manager of AOD Gopaneri plant earlier on Sunday.
According to police, the said vehicle was intercepted while carrying 308 numbers of the empty STP (Sewage Treatment Plant) cylinders to M/S Gopanari Cylinder Testing Plant at Bengali Balijan. Ironically, the gate pass data revealed that the actual number of cylinders allowed was 306. The police suspects that a huge network of individuals is operating in the area committing the theft in liaison with the drivers, loaders, and smugglers in and around the bottling plant.
According to sources, the cylinders, either empty or refilled, are stolen from the plant on and off and reach the roadside commercial establishments including the dhabas, hotels, groceries. Illegal hoarding and black marketing of LPG domestic cylinders is nothing new to the place.
According to a local resident of nearby Tingrai bazar, neither the AOD vigilance nor the security department or civil administration is seen in action against the menace despite reports of unauthorized godowns and petty distributors selling the LPG cylinder at higher prices.
Meanwhile, the arrested accused were produced before the Margherita SDJM on today afternoon after executing the case No. 18/25 u/s 303 (2) BNS.
Also Read: Assam: Minister UG Brahma visits schools for Gunotsav in Chirang district
Also Watch: