A local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Balo Dey, from the Dejoo Mandal unit in Assam, was arrested by Lakhimpur Police after authorities discovered a significant stash of contraband diesel at his residence in Dejoo, near North Lakhimpur. The discovery was made during a search operation conducted on the night of February 15 by the State GST department and the local police, acting on received intelligence. Officers found 3,000 liters of diesel stored in drums in Dey’s home in Dejoo Bazaar, within the jurisdiction of Silaneebari Police Outpost, Lakhimpur district.
This operation followed the recent interception of several oil tankers allegedly transporting fuel from a depot in Arunachal Pradesh to various regions across India while evading the VAT applicable in Assam. The SGST office in North Lakhimpur, which is probing the broader fuel smuggling network, believes these tanker seizures are linked to the recovered contraband in Dejoo.
In addition to Dey’s arrest, the police are actively pursuing several others thought to be involved in the illegal diesel trade, including individuals named Choto Verma, Narayan, Haneefa, and Ram. The authorities continue their investigations as they work to dismantle the intricate network of fuel smuggling in the region.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in combating fuel smuggling and tax evasion within Assam, reflecting a broader issue affecting the northeastern parts of India.
