DIGBOI: In a major success against illegal activities, the Assam Police team in Digboi cracked down on an LPG smuggling racket late Thursday evening after prolonged efforts. The action followed an FIR filed by the General Manager of the AOD-administered Gopenari LPG Bottling Plant in Digboi.
The police arrested Medini Moran, a well-established businessman, from his residence in Digboi on Thursday. Moran, aged 30, was allegedly involved in criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating, and theft.
According to the authorities, out of the 312 empty LPG cylinders that were officially loaded for transportation, only 220 domestic and 24 commercial cylinders were found in the vehicle. "68 cylinders were found missing from the truck parked at the residence of the transporter, Medini Moran," said an Investigating Officer from Digboi police.
The police are thoroughly investigating the case under the Essential Commodities Act of 1955 and other relevant sections. Inspector Dibya Jyoti Dutta of Digboi Police mentioned, “We are trying to ascertain how AOD property went missing.”
Questions have also been raised regarding the security measures at the AOD LPG plant, with particular concern about the availability of sealing materials, such as shrink caps, outside the plant, which were being used by smugglers to reseal stolen cylinders.
Despite the plant being equipped with scanners at entry and exit points, security personnel have failed to prevent the theft of cylinders. The plant’s security setup, which has been in place for over a decade, has now come under scrutiny.
A case has been registered and Moran has been prosecuted under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including provisions under the Essential Commodities Act. Authorities have applied for a three-day police remand for the accused to assist in further investigations aimed at dismantling the LPG smuggling network in Upper Assam.
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