Impounded solvent goes missing, SP denies seizure of the same
No official report of seizure with IOC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 04 2012: Ten days after a crack team of the Special Intelligence Unit of Imphal West police cracked down on fuel sharks and hauled up a huge consignment of K-oil from two places at Khurkhul Makha Leikai under Sekmai police station on May 24 at about 4 pm, there is a growing apprehension that 20 Kl of zero density fuel which was impounded during the said raid may have vanished.

SP of Imphal West, K Jayenta however said that no zero density fuel was impounded during the raid.

The zero density fuel measuring 20 Kl, which is primarily used as a solvent, was seized along with the K-oil on May 24 from the gate of the residence of Khaidem Hera (65) at Khurkhul Makha Leikai.

The quantity of K-oil seized was 17000 litres.

Speaking to a group of reporters at his office chamber today, the SP said that the police team did seize 34 Kl of kerosene from Khurkhul.

He however denied impounding any zero density fuel.

The place in Khurkhuol from where the K-oil was seized by police

Khaidem Hera, while speaking to some reporters today said that along with the K-oil, the police team also impounded a fuel tanker containing 20 Kl of zero density fuel.

Zero density fuel, which is primarily used as a solvent to normalise the density of fuel including petrol, diesel, kerosene and Aeronautic Turbine Fuel is an extract from crude oil.

It is extracted during the refining process just like petrol, diesel, kerosene, grease etc.

Moreover zero density fuel is used as a solvent in the preparation of Spirit and thinner.

Sources said that the police team impounded the zero density fuel, totalling 20 Kl while it was kept in a fuel tanker from the gate of Khaidem Hera, during the raid on May 24 .

It is said that the zero density fuel belongs to a transporter of the IOC.

When a team of reporters contacted the Divisional Sales office of the IOC today, the officials were taken aback on hearing the 'report' that a tanker load of zero density fuel had landed at Imphal.

The officials confided that there were unofficial reports about zero density fuel being smuggled into Manipur, but no official seizure of the said fuel has ever been registered with the IOC.

Interacting with the media team, Khaidem Hera said that a person who he identified as one Ingocha of Thoubal rented his compound to park the fuel tankers for Rs 5/6 thousand per month.

In the last three/four months, Ingocha used to bring in K-oil laden tankers to his gate and used to take the fuel out.

Earlier in September/October of 2010, the same work was done by one Bahu from near Don Bosco High School at Chingmeirong and another one identified as Sumo of Keishamthong, said Hera and added that along with the K-oil one tanker fully loaded with zero density fuel was also seized during the May 24 raid.

According to sources, zero density fuel is highly sought after by the black marketeers to dilute fuel like petrol.