Sikkim police warn companies on pilferage of explosives

Gangtok, Apr 30(UNI) Regular seizure of dynamites, gelatin sticks and detonators in different parts of Sikkim has forced the police to warn agencies, involved in heavy construction works, to stop pilferage of explosive substances or face police action.

'' We warn those construction companies engaged in heavy construction works like hydel and road projects to maintain proper stock of their explosive substances so that it does not fall in unauthorized hands,'' said Akshay Sachdeva, DIG (Range) of Sikkim police.

Six gelatin sticks and two detonators along with electric cables had been recovered from a group of unidentified persons who were using the explosives for fishing at Rangit river yesterday.

A patrolling police team had spotted them. However, the persons managed to escape after leaving the explosives behind.

Four dynamites and five detonators had also been recovered from an unclaimed bag at Chisopani, Jorethang, South Sikkim on April 15.

Previous records had suggested that the explosive substances may have been pilferred from construction companies engaged in road and power projects in the state.

Similar recovery of explosive substances meant for construction purposes had taken last year in different parts of the state within the vicinity of project areas.

It is due to the negligence on the part of the engineers and contractors of the projects that such pilferages are taking place, said Sachdeva.

Sikkim is recently witnessing a boom of heavy construction works with several hydel power projects and road construction companies starting their activities.

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