Cuttack: Illegal scrap trade is rampant in Jobra, Gandarpur, Chauliaganj, Malgodown and Jagatpur areas of the city.
Some traders are illegally supplying scraps to states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar by bribing some police personnel, sources said.
The illegal scrap business in the city came to the fore once again after the Choudwar police seized a scrap-laden truck April 4. However, the police are yet to trace the persons behind the unlawful trade and take action against them.
Locals have alleged a nexus between some senior police officers and a few traders involved in illegal supply of scrap materials from the city to other states.
According to sources, illegal scrap dealers usually dismantle old vehicles, including trucks and buses, at their workshops in the city here and supply their parts to some northern states. Many stolen vehicles are also dismantled clandestinely in these units. Manguli Square, located on the city outskirts, has become a transit point for the illegal trade.
The Silver City has witnessed a series of crimes over scarp deals in last two decades. A few miscreants had killed the driver of an Additional Superintendent of Police (ACP) at Nuapatna in 2003 over the illicit business. Victim Sarat Kar was instrumental in busting an illegal scrap trading racket in Choudwar area. The police are yet to arrest the people behind Kar’s murder.
In another incident, Rabindra Lenka of College Square and a resident of Jagatpur were also killed over illegal dealings in scarp.
Even though the cops catch offenders red handed, no action is taken against the real culprits due to obvious reasons. One recent example is this: The Chauliaganj police seized a truck carrying scrap materials in February this year and arrested two persons. However, no action was taken against the traders.
“A powerful racket is behind the scrap trade. Some senior police officers have direct links with people who are illegally dismantling old vehicles in the city. A high-level inquiry can unearth the racket,” said corporator Nirod Chandra Panda.
Social activist Rajib Mohanty also sought an immediate probe into the illegal vehicle dismantling units in the city. “Many police personnel will face the music if a proper inquiry is launched into the scarp business,” he said.
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