No clue yet as trucks loaded with stolen rice seized

Tribune News Service

Barnala, June 28

The failure of the Barnala police to arrest the drivers of the two trucks, loaded with 500 bags of rice worth Rs 10 lakh, on Wednesday evening has raised questions as rice millers are demanding a thorough probe into the matter.

As per an FIR registered under Sections 380 and 411 of the IPC at the Barnala city-1 police station against Sukhwinder Singh and another unidentified driver, the police got information that the former was transporting stolen rice bags in his truck to sell these to some unidentified persons. But when the police tried to catch him, he fled after leaving behind his vehicle near the city by-pass.

The police seized another rice-loaded truck parked near the railway crossing. The police seized a total of 500 bags from both trucks.

But rice millers of Barnala have alleged the involvement of some officials of purchase agencies were behind the incident.

“We have registered a case and started further investigation. Only after the arrest of both drivers, we can identify the owner of the seized rice, which is worth Rs 10 lakh,” said ASI Sukhwinder Singh.