On Sambalpur-Kolkata route
The Truck Owners’ Association of Sambalpur (STOA) expressed concern over growing incidences of theft of vehicles in Sambalpur-Kolkata route. It alleged that as many as 10 trucks carrying aluminium from Hindalco Hirakud to Kolkata were forcibly lifted from the route overpowering the crews.
“Even if it has turned to be a regular affair, but police take no interest to trace the trucks. The drivers and helpers of the respective trucks are also missing and their family members are a worried lot. It is not clear if they are alive or dead,” said association president Deben Pati.
“We have lodged FIRs in various roadside police stations of Odisha and West Bengal, but to no effect,” Pati lamented. Association secretary Bipin
Bhatia said since the matter of loss of human life comes to picture the police need to be more active. But the police are totally ineffective. “Due to frequent theft, the truck owners are also facing irreparable loss,” Bhatia said, demanding action against the miscreants including the recovery of the trucks and the materials. The association also met Additional SP Susil Panigrahi who assured them of prompt action.