Sivasagar, June 2: Sivasagar Police on June 2 uncovered an illegal fuel storage network operating in the heart of Sivasagar town, seizing a substantial quantity of diesel, lubricants and other petroleum products stored in two makeshift warehouses near the ONGC premises at Nazira Ali.
According to police sources, the operation was launched following a complaint filed by a petrol pump owner alleging that two vehicles had illegally taken away nearly 1,800 litres of fuel without making payment. Acting on the complaint, police detained a driver identified as Mustaq Khan and seized the vehicle involved in the suspected transaction.
During interrogation and subsequent investigation, police found that Khan had allegedly transported 720 litres of diesel in four drums from the Nimchand Manik Chand Petrol Pump and delivered it to the warehouse site. This information led investigators to the illegal storage facility, which was raided on Monday.
In the raid, police recovered around 50 drums filled with diesel, lubricants and other petroleum products. Officials suspect that several thousand litres of fuel may have been stored at the location, though the exact quantity is yet to be determined.
Investigators have identified a man named Subhash Das as the suspected key figure behind the operation. According to sources, he resides in a rented house opposite the warehouse and has allegedly been involved in the illegal trade of fuel and crude oil for a prolonged period. He has also been previously linked to similar cases, police said.
Authorities are also examining whether the stockpile was the result of fuel theft or part of speculative hoarding in anticipation of price fluctuations. The motive is expected to become clearer as the investigation progresses.
Police have seized the recovered materials under relevant provisions, including safety regulations and the Explosives Act, and conducted searches at the residence linked to the accused. However, the prime suspect remains absconding, and efforts are underway to trace and apprehend him as the investigation continues.
