Bhubaneswar: The Balakati area, which comes under the jurisdiction of Balianta police station of the Commissionerate Police, has turned into a hub for disposal of electric wires stolen from places like Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Angul, Athagarh, Tangi and Paradip.
Locals have alleged that officials of the Commissionerate Police have turned a blind eye to the illegal trade after accepting hefty sums from the dealers of stolen electric wires and equipment.
Rathijema village of Balakati is well known for its flourishing brass utensil industry. The artisans of the village usually buy huge amounts of copper and aluminium to produce brass items.
A few unscrupulous traders from the locality source stolen electric and telephone wires as well as copper coils from various parts of the state to supply them to brass artisans. These traders have close links with some dishonest electricity department officials, who assist thieves in stealing electric wires and equipment.
Sources said vehicles laden with stolen electric equipment pass though territorial jurisdictions of Balianta, Badagada and Srilingaraj police stations of the Commissionerate Police to reach Balakati.
Though officials of these three police stations are quite aware of the illegal trade, they seldom take any action against the persons involved in it, sources added. Occasionally, a few locals have raised the issue with the police but no action has been taken in this regard. “We are quite sure that police officials know everything about the transportation and disposal of stolen electric equipment. But they are getting monthly bribes to turn a blind eye to the illegal trade,” alleged a local.
A concerned citizen of the locality Tuesday contacted some senior officials of the Commissionerate Police and informed them about a vehicle carrying stolen electric wires. Soon a PCR van of the Balakati police outpost reached the spot and seized the vehicle. The PCR personnel also caught two persons in connection with the incident. However, the duo was later let off without any questioning.
“We have information that the seized vehicle was carrying 3-tonne electric wires. Besides, huge quantities of stolen equipment have been stored in a storehouse near Rathijema Upper Primary School. The police are yet to raid the storehouse,” claimed another villager.
Balakati outpost officer Sangram Paikray said they were probing the incident. However, Balianta police in-charge Pramod Patnaik feigned ignorance about it.
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