Assam: Businessman arrested for allegedly swindling LPG cylinders in Digboi

OUR CORRESPONDENT

DIGBOI: In what can be termed as a massive success against the illegalities, team Assam Police in Tinsukia's Digboi after prolonged efforts finally cracked down against the menace of LPG smuggling here in Digboi on Thursday late evening.

Based on an FIR by General Manager AOD-administered Gopenari LPG Bottling Plant in Digboi, the Digboi Police on Thursday arrested an established businessman Medini Moran (30 years) from his residence who was allegedly involving in criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating, and being part of the theft. The accused Moran has been a transporter who runs several transports at the LPG Bottling Plant and Gopaneri.

According to police, out of 312 empty LPG cylinders being officially loaded for destination, only 220 domestic and 24 commercial cylinders were found in the vehicle. 68 cylinders were officially found missing in the truck parked at the residence of the transporter Medini Moran, said the Investigating Officer of Digboi Police.

"We are closely investigating the case considering all pros and cons of the alleged act of offence committed under Essential Commodities Act 1955 and other relevant provisions under BNS. There were shortfalls of around 68 empty cylinders in the officially tendered LPG transport and we are trying to ascertain how the property of the AOD could go missing," said Dibya Jyoti Dutta, Inspector Digboi Police.

Meanwhile, the roles of the private security department, engaged at the AOD LPG Plant for more than a decade, have also raised questions.

What is surprising is the availability of sealing materials including the shrink caps outside the plant which the miscreants and smugglers used to seal the cylinders after pilferage. Despite being equipped well with scanners at the entry-exit point, the security personnel have miserably failed to curb the menace of cylinder theft in the plant and nearby areas. How the AOD management could continue with a fragile security setup for long in spite of having the AISF unit at Digboi is a pertinent question. Over the years, the security personnel at the plant have been reportedly indulged in various undesirable acts.

Meanwhile, registering a case No. 31/25, the accused Moran was prosecuted u/s 61(2)/ 316(3)/318(4)/313/303(2)/125/Act 7 of Essential Commodities Act 1955.

"We have appealed for the grant of three days of police remand for the accused for effective investigation so that the entire network of LPG cylinder smugglers operative in upper Assam could be cracked down on with an iron-fist," said Inspector Dutta.

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