MARGAO: Vigilant resident of Benaulim intercepted a gas cylinder van and caught four men of the Damodar Gas agency committing pilferage of domestic and commercial gas from cylinders out for delivery.
Joaozinho Fernandes saw the act while he was passing by the vehicle. He smelled gas leak and went and questioned the persons committing the act. Smelling a rat in the entire act, Joaozinho called people from nearby and exposed their acts.
According to the people, the accused men would take a freshly filled cylinder and would remove gas from it into a empty cylinder. These men would then sell the cylinder to persons illegally at an extra premium cost.
Joaozinho managed to catch hold of three men on the vehicle while one of them fled the spot.
Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao and panchas of the village to came to the spot.
Proprietor of the Damodar Gas Agency Jayesh Majithiya said, “I had heard of this happening in other places but never knew that this is being done by my workers. I will ensure that necessary action is taken against these accused workers.”
Alemao said, “I will raise this issue with the Government and make sure that the pilferage stops immediately.”
Roque Fernandes from Benaulim said, “People are already suffering due to the increased LPG prices and now if this is going to happen, then, there is no respite for the common man and his sufferings.”
The police detained the three men and later handed them over to the Civil Supplies for further action.
