Patna, April 7 Amid a severe LPG shortage in Muzaffarpur district, police have busted an organised gang involved in illegal gas refilling and black marketing, exposing a dangerous and well-coordinated network.
Acting on a tip-off, a raid was conducted in the Nariyar area under the Motipur police station limits on Monday night, where an illegal LPG refilling operation was being carried out.
The operation was led by Deputy Superintendent of Police, Suchitra Kumari, with support from police teams of Kanti and Motipur stations.
During the surprise night raid, the accused fled the scene; however, police seized a large cache of materials used in the illegal operation.
Among the items recovered were a fully loaded LPG tanker bearing a Nepalese registration number, a Bolero pickup van filled with cylinders, an e-rickshaw used for distribution, and multiple gas-refilling instruments.
A significant number of both filled and empty LPG cylinders were also confiscated.
“A raid was conducted in the Motipur police station area following Intelligence regarding illegal gas refilling at night. During the operation, a filled LPG tanker, an e-rickshaw, a Bolero, a pickup vehicle, and several gas cylinders were recovered. An FIR has been registered, and further action is underway,” said DSP Suchitra Kumari.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the gang was exploiting the ongoing gas shortage by illegally transferring LPG from tankers into smaller cylinders in secluded areas.
Officials noted that such practices are highly hazardous, as the gas was being handled without safety protocols, posing a serious risk to public safety.
Police suspect that the racket may have cross-border links with Nepal, given the Nepalese registration of the seized tanker.
A detailed investigation is underway to uncover the full extent of the network and identify all those involved.
Authorities have expressed confidence that the absconding accused will be arrested soon.
Following the crackdown, panic has spread among illegal gas traders in Nariyar and nearby areas, many of whom have reportedly gone into hiding.
Meanwhile, police surveillance has been intensified across the region.
Local residents have welcomed the action, as the LPG shortage had been causing significant hardship for consumers.
Officials reiterated that illegal gas refilling is not only unlawful but also poses a grave threat to human life.
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