Thieves to face PD in cases of gas theft

Hyderabad: To prevent mishaps like the blast at the GAIL pipeline earlier this month, at  Nagaram, which is attributed to pilfering, the state police has decided to get tough with the thieves.

At a high-level meeting of the police chaired by director-general of police J.V. Ramudu with representatives from ONGC and GAIL, it was decided that the police will use the AP Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers Dacoits, Drug Offenders, Goons, Immoral Traffic Offenders and Land Grabbers Act, 1986, to control the oil thieves.

The additional DGP (law and order), R.P. Thakur, said, “We will use the PD Act against identified thieves who steal oil from the Kakinada-Hyderabad pipeline and other areas. We are also going to launch an awareness programme to ensure that we receive the information promptly after any gas leakage.”

Police will cross check whether the gas leak information has been attended by the oil and gas company staff. “A toll free number would be launched for the same. Information will also be passed on to the police control room. This will help in cross checking whether the complaint was attended to or not,” an officer said.

Patrolling in the pipeline areas will also be done to ensure safety. Private oil and gas companies will also be made part of the initiative, the officer said. GAIL will not restart its pipeline supply till Engineer India Limited gives clearance and old damaged pipelines are replaced.