Diesel Tanker Seized, Three Arrested by Tangla Police 

A Correspondent

TANGLA: Three persons have been arrested by Tangla Police in connection with the seizure of a tanker full of illegal diesel while it was being unloaded at M/S Dinanath Das Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) near Tangla HS playground at Tangla town in Udalguri district on Friday.

According to reports, the oil tanker bearing registration number AS01 JC 1358 was brought from Betkuchi IOC in Kamrup to the depot when a group of youths under the banner of Brihottar Asomia Yuva Mancha intercepted the consignment while being unloaded. The proprietor of the depot allegedly could not produce the necessary documents of legally procuring the oil, as stated in the FIR lodged by secretary general of Udalguri chapter of the organization, Karuna Bora, vide Tangla PS Case No. 78/19, U/S 379/411 IPC, -R/W Sec 7 of EC Act, 1955.

Police seized the tanker and arrested the driver of the tanker, Rashid Ali (37) who stated that he loaded the tanker at Betkuchi (IOC Storage) and it was to be unloaded at the Railway Station, Paltan Bazar. Mystery shrouds as to how the consignment found its way into IOC Tangla. Police also arrested the handyman of the tanker, Mridul Das (26) and Nabajit Das (52), the proprietor of the depot, and produced them before the court on Saturday.

The court further remanded them for five days of police custody, informed the OC of Tangla PS, DK Sarma. According to rules, every IOC retail outlet has to place order of their requirement for oil before Top-of-Point (T.O.P) like IOC Betkuchi or directly at the refinery and accordingly, the IOC after receiving the indent, loads the tanker for particular depots and issues tax invoice mentioning the price of the oil, details of the quantity, vehicle number and name of the dealer in three copies- one for dealer and two copies for transporter- for claiming hire charges. As the product falls under essential commodity, the depots must also submit return to the DC office of the respective districts on daily basis.

A former tank lorry owner who was associated with IOC for years and is president of Human Rights Forum, Tangla, SK Sarma alleged a larger syndicate involving IOC personnel and demanded high-level enquiry into the matter.

Also Read: Oil tanker seized from IOC Depot at Tangla in Udalguri