Chatra: A man has been arrested for allegedly stealing three solar panels from a government school in the Pratappur police station limits of the district on the night of June 13. The stolen solar panels were recovered from the bushes near a pond. The accused was identified as Vinay Kumar, a resident of Parhiyadih village.
Incident Details
The incident came to light when the president of the management committee of Upgraded Primary School in Lideek village filed a complaint on June 14 with Pratappur police station. Based on the complaint, a case was registered. Alok Ranjan Choudhary, the officer-in-charge of Pratappur police station, said, “Some more criminals were also involved in the theft, and their identities are being ascertained.”
Investigation Underway
The accused is in police custody as of Wednesday. Police are investigating further to identify other individuals involved in the theft. The solar panels were installed at the school as part of a government initiative to provide alternative energy sources.
This theft highlights the challenges faced by rural schools in maintaining infrastructure. The recovery of the panels has brought some relief to the school authorities, who rely on solar power for electricity.
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About the Author: Vishvendu Jaipuriar covers Hazaribag and Chatra districts, focusing on crime, politics and human interest stories. He covered the programs of prominent national and regional leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their visits to Hazaribag/Chatra. He also covered the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak case in depth with a focus on Hazaribag as a key epicenter.
