Punjab Forest Department to provide weapons to staff
Chandigarh, June 20: A day after a Punjab Forest Department officer was critically injured and five others also received serious injuries in an attack by goons of the illegal sand mafia, state Forest Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot said on Wednesday that department officials would be provided weapons.
"The Forest Department will arm its employees with weapons for the security of forest areas. A policy in this regard would be prepared and sent to the cabinet for approval," he said.
Block Officer Devinder Singh received critical head injuries and had to undergo surgery at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) here on Tuesday after he and other officials were attacked brutally by goons of the sand mafia.
Another forest employee, Karnail Singh, was admitted in hospital with skull fracture and other serious injuries.
The attack took place early on Tuesday in Seonk area of Mohali district, around 10 km from here.
"The incident which happened at village Seonk is quite unfortunate and the perpetrators would not be spared. Attacks by the sand mafia on the Forest Department employees are being taken with utmost seriousness and in future the departmental employees would be provided weapons," the minister said.
The minister said that four people who were allegedly involved in the attack have been arrested.
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Delhi Police busts LPG black marketing racket in Bawana, 75 cylinders seized; 1 held
New Delhi (PTI): Delhi Police has busted an LPG cylinder hoarding and black marketing racket in the Bawana area, an officer said on Friday.
A 50-year-old man, identified as Anil, has been arrested and 75 cylinders seized, he said.
The accused was apprehended following a tip-off about the illegal storage and transportation of LPG cylinders in the industrial area.
Acting on the input, a police team laid a picket near District Park in Bawana on Thursday evening. Around 4 pm, a pickup truck was intercepted and checked, leading to the recovery of 27 LPG cylinders, including both domestic and commercial units.
"When questioned, the accused failed to produce any valid documents, including a licence, permit, stock register or proof of ownership for the cylinders," the officer said.
During interrogation, Anil revealed that more cylinders were stored at nearby premises. Based on his disclosure, police raided two rooms and an iron shed near a factory in the area.
"A total of 48 additional cylinders were recovered, taking the overall seizure to 75. The cylinders were stored without safety measures or legal authorisation, posing a serious risk," the officer said.
Disruptions in maritime supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing US-Israel and Iran conflict have caused an LPG crisis in India.
