STF busts hoarding of LPG cylinders, seizes 101 cylinders in Roorkee

my uttarakhand news Bureau

ROORKEE, 4 Apr: Uttarakhand Police’s Special Task Force (STF) achieved a major breakthrough under the statewide ‘Operation Prahaar’ campaign by raiding South Civil Lines in Roorkee and recovering 101 LPG cylinders stored illegally. The operation has sown panic among hoarders and black marketeers exploiting the ongoing gas shortage in the region.

SSP STF Ajai Singh had received intelligence inputs indicating that anti-social elements are trying to capitalise on the market scarcity of gas by stockpiling cylinders and selling them at exorbitant rates to the hotels and the dhabas. Acting swiftly on this tip-off, Ajai Singh directed the STF team to launch immediate action.

When the STF team swooped down on the premises of Jayvir, son of Karan Singh, in South Civil Lines, the officers were stunned by the scene inside the house. The cylinders, most belonging to Indra Gas company, had been crammed haphazardly without any semblance of safe storage norms. Jayvir was absent during the raid. Efforts have been intensified to nab him.

The STF promptly summoned a team from the Food and Supplies Department to the spot and after completing legal formalities, handed over all the seized cylinders to them. SSP Ajai Singh asserted that no one involved in the illegal hoarding or black marketing of LPG would be spared, with a case registered under relevant sections in collaboration with local police, and legal proceedings underway.

The operation was executed primarily by Inspector Abul Kalam, Sub-Inspector Vidyadatt Joshi, Head Constable Devendra Mamgain, Mahendra Singh Negi, and Sanjay. Similar seizures in Haridwar and Haldwani were ensured last month, where over 200 cylinders were impounded from commercial establishments.