Sayed Ali, Gossaigaon: A major oil theft racket has been uncovered following a fire outbreak at Babubil in Gossaigaon town, believed to have been triggered by a leak from a punctured underground pipeline. According to preliminary reports, the group behind the racket had recently established a scrap trading outlet in close proximity to the pipeline site. Authorities suspect the outlet was merely a front for their illegal siphoning operation. Investigations reveal that the culprits had dug into the ground to expose the underground oil pipeline, punctured it, and had been illegally extracting oil for an extended period. The clandestine operation, however, came to an abrupt halt when a fire broke out at the site, reportedly due to the leakage. The blaze forced the perpetrators to abandon the location and flee. Emergency teams from the concerned oil company have since been deployed to the scene and began urgent repair work on the damaged pipeline starting yesterday. The extent of the damage and loss due to the fire is still being assessed. Gossaigaon Police have confirmed that several suspects have already been apprehended in connection with the theft. “We are actively investigating the matter and are following leads that may point to a larger network involved in the racket,” said a senior police official. Local residents expressed concern over the potential hazards of such illegal operations taking place in their vicinity. “It could have turned into a major disaster. We’re fortunate the fire didn’t spread further,” one resident remarked. Authorities have assured that security around key infrastructure, including oil pipelines, will be tightened to prevent similar incidents in the future. Further arrests and developments are expected as the investigation progresses.
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