The sleuths of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Himachal Pradesh Police seized a huge consignment of wheat, meant for public distribution system (PDS), in Chamba district on Monday, hours before being smuggled into the neighbouring Punjab.
The officials said that they seized two trucks carrying 226 wheat sacks weighing 10,500 kg. Acting on a tip- off, a CID team, intercepted the two vehicles, which were transporting ration wheat at Nannikhad on the Chamba-Pathankot highway, around 60-kilometres from the district headquarters.
Officials said that the sacks of smuggled grains were changed with those having label of Punjab government. However, on proper checking the sleuths recovered sacks bearing stamp of Himachal Pradesh civil supply department.
The drivers of the truck could not produce valid papers regarding transportation of the consignment.
This is the third such incident reported this year, in which PDS ration being smuggled to outer states was recovered.
Earlier also, the Chamba police had seized wheat and rice meant for public distribution, which was being transported illegally to outer states from remote Tissa and Salooni area of the district.
Meanwhile, CID officials arrested the two truck drivers, Anoop Kumar and Raj Kumar and a case has been registered against them at Bharari police station under relevant sections of the IPC and HP State Essential Commodity Act.
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, CID officials arrested the two truck drivers, Anoop Kumar and Raj Kumar and a case has been registered against them at Bharari police station under relevant sections of the IPC and HP State Essential Commodity Act.
{{/usCountry}}“We are investigating all such cases and are trying to find out as to how many more people are involved in the smuggling of the essential commodities,” Jagat Ram, superintendent of police (SP), Chamba, said, adding that the police have got a lead in the case and efforts are being made to trace the receiver of grains in Punjab.