Pratapgarh Police and Power Department Launch Major Crackdown on Electricity Theft
In a significant joint operation, the Pratapgarh district police and the state power department conducted simultaneous raids across the district, exposing a widespread network of electricity theft. The operation, codenamed "Operation Andhkar," involved over 200 officers and personnel from both departments, targeting residential houses and farmhouses suspected of illegal power consumption.
Massive Scale of the Operation
Superintendent of Police B Aditya, who supervised the entire operation, revealed that the raids led to the immediate arrest of 10 individuals directly involved in the theft activities. The police have filed a total of 35 Vigilance Case Reports (VCRs) specifically for electricity theft, with the total penalty amount assessed reaching a staggering Rs 23,80,000.
The seizure of illegal electrical equipment was substantial and highlights the scale of the theft:
- 27 single-phase illegal transformers, valued at approximately Rs 15.39 lakh.
- 4 three-phase illegal transformers, worth around Rs 3.26 lakh.
- 950 metres of illegal electrical cable.
- 8 water motors that were being illegally used for irrigation purposes by siphoning off power.
Coordinated Efforts Across Multiple Teams
The operation was a meticulously planned effort, drawing forces from eight different police stations within the district. These included teams from Arnod, Hathuniya, Dholapani, Pratapgarh, and Devgarh police stations. Additionally, specialized units such as the Quick Response Team (QRT) and the women's Kalika team were deployed to ensure comprehensive coverage and effectiveness during the raids.
On the technical front, the electricity department played a crucial role. Executive Engineer Mitthalal Meena led a team comprising eight Assistant Executive Engineers (AENs) and 100 departmental employees. Their expertise was vital in identifying and handling the illegal electrical setups, ensuring proper documentation and seizure of the equipment.
Impact and Future Implications
This large-scale crackdown sends a strong message against electricity theft, which not only causes significant revenue loss to the state but also disrupts the power supply for legitimate consumers. The recovery of equipment worth lakhs of rupees and the imposition of heavy penalties underscore the seriousness with which authorities are tackling this issue.
The success of "Operation Andhkar" is expected to deter future theft attempts and promote fair electricity usage across Pratapgarh district. Authorities have indicated that such joint operations may continue in the future to curb illegal activities and ensure compliance with power regulations.
