Sambalpur: Rs. 24 Lakh Worth of Equipment Looted from Under-Construction Power Grid in Sambalpur, Police Investigation Underway
Sambalpur: In Sambalpur district’s Redhakhol block, burglars looted electrical materials worth Rs. 24 lakh from an under-construction power grid near Charmal late last night. The grid, being developed by a private contractor under TPWODL, housed expensive electrical equipment. The thieves carried out the robbery after overpowering the security guard and eight workers present at the site.
How the Robbery Unfolded
Around 20-25 robbers arrived at the construction site after midnight. They tied up the security guard and workers, confiscated their mobile phones, and locked them in a room from the outside. The robbers then called for a truck, which arrived soon after. Over the next 2-3 hours, they loaded valuable equipment onto the truck and fled. Before leaving, they returned the phones to the locked room to avoid suspicion.
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Discovery and Complaint
The contractor discovered the theft this morning and filed a complaint at Charmal police station. The police launched an investigation immediately. Despite deploying a dog squad at the crime scene, they failed to find any concrete leads.
Police Response and Challenges
The Charmal police station is currently managed by a sub-inspector after the absence of its regular officer. This lack of leadership has raised questions about the station’s efficiency. Exploiting this weakness, the robbers executed their plan and escaped with the loot, leaving the district authorities alarmed.
Investigation Underway
Police have intensified their efforts to solve the case. They are forming a dedicated team, including skilled officers, to trace the stolen materials and apprehend the culprits. Meanwhile, locals and authorities are urging stronger security measures at construction sites to prevent such incidents in the future.
