Fuel found siphoned off inside Malom depot
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 28 2018: Amidst intermittent reports about adulteration and siphoning of fuel at Khatkhati, Assam and Dimapur from Imphal-bound TTs, there are reports about siphoning fuel from loaded TTs inside the IOC's Malom depot.

Sources informed that the particular TT from which fuel was siphoned off inside Malom depot belongs to PCTC Khoyathong.

The TT of 20 KL capacity bearing registration number MN01-8391 was loaded to the full capacity at Malom depot yesterday and the same load should be unloaded at PCTC.

However, the TT did not arrive at PCTC.

Meanwhile, PCTC's petrol stock ran out today.

Fuel found siphoned off inside Malom depot

As the particular TT loaded with 20 Kls of petrol which left Malom depot yesterday did not reach the RO till today, some staff of PCTC went out in search of the TT and they found it near Kwakeithel along Tiddim Road.

Even as the TT was brought to PCTC, its load was found short of 20 Kls.

On being questioned by the RO's staff, TT driver Rakesh Thapa disclosed that certain quantity of petrol was siphoned from the TT inside the campus of Malom depot and the same quantity was sold off in the black market, said the sources.

Notably, all TTs engaged in transporting fuel from different loading points of Assam to Malom depot and those engaged in distribution of fuel to different ROs from the depot are locked with a special device using iron rods.

Keys of these locks are kept with the IOC and ROs.

However, Rakesh Thapa refused to disclose how he unlocked the lock and siphoned off fuel despite repeated insistence/questioning by the staff of PCTC.

But when he was physically assaulted, Rakesh Thapa disclosed that he unlocked the lock by cutting the iron rod.

The particular TT driven by Rakesh Thapa was earlier engaged in transporting fuel from Assam to Imphal.

But he was relieved from the same work following reports about siphoning fuel at Khatkhati after cutting the iron rod which was later welded.

Rakesh Thapa further disclosed that many other fellow drivers also siphoned off fuels using the some method of cutting and welding the iron rods used for locking the TTs.

On the other hand, protesting the physical assault on Rakesh Thapa, fellow TT drivers staged a protest demonstration in front of Malom depot this afternoon.

Malom depot officials and staff of PCTC talked with the protesting drivers but it could not be ascertained whether any understanding was reached or not, the sources added.