Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jun 9: The policemen of Beltangady have succeeded in unearthing the activities of a gang of diesel thieves who used to rig hole in the MRPL pipeline and steal diesel from it every day. Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd(MRPL), which has since filed a complaint with the Beltangady police station, feels that the quantity of diesel so pilfered from its pipe line might be in the order of about two lac litres, valued at over Rs 50 lac.

Assistant superintendent of police Dr Chandragupta visited the spot from where the thieves used to draw diesel. Beltangady circle inspector Gangi Reddy, who has been investigating the theft, revealed that the policemen have achieved considerable success in their investigation. At the same time, he refused to divulge more details, adding that full details will be made known once the investigation is concluded.

The locals say that a gang has been involved with diesel theft at Dondole near Netravati river bank in Dharmasthala village, since the last several months. The gang reportedly involves some respected personalities. A person who lost heavily in financial transactions, is said to have led the gang, while the total people involved is six including a man who had earlier been held for immoral acts and a man who deals with copra.

The policemen found a gunny bag full of liquor bottles, bed sheet etc., at the spot of the theft. It is said, the theft was conducted at midnight, by removing the diesel by digging a 20 feet deep pit and pumping out diesel onto to the tankers through pressure pump. A local man reportedly saw the wrongdoings of the gang, after which the gang used to pay him a monthly allowance to keep his mouth shut. As they failed to pay him his monthly allowance since a month, he allegedly leaked the information to the policemen.