No one dares complain against mafia

IN THE NET: The main accused Popat Shinde is critical with 70% burns

Mateen Hafeez & Prafulla Marpakwar TNN

Manmad (Nashik): The killing of Malegaon additional collector, Yeshwant Sonawane, has once again brought the ugly face of the oil mafia to light. Manmad city, with a population of around 1.5 lakh, is a prime centre for fuel pilferage and adulteration in Maharashtra.

Each oil pilferage gang has 10-15 persons, who attend to a tanker, pilfer oil, make a new seal and take care of any “untoward incident”. Each member is paid Rs 6,000-10,000 a month. All the gangs are well armed, said a local councilor.

The gangs have links with distributors in Dhule, Malegaon, Ahmednagar, Pune and Indore. “The oil mafia bosses are on good terms with law-enforcement agencies here,” said a resident. Fifty to 75 litres of oil is pilfered from a tanker and sold in black. While the police take action against the rackets under various sections of the Essential Commodities Act, it has failed to deter the gangs. The prime accused in Tuesday’s incident, Popat Shinde, had been booked at least nine times.

Before Independence, a pipeline was set up from Mumbai to Manmad and oil would be distributed near Manmad railway station. Eight years ago, distribution was shifted to Panewadi village, 10 km away, due to congestion and road-widening work. “The mafia has been active in the region for over 20 years. However, since distribution shifted, the seven to eight gangs have got more active,” said a local resident.

“It was difficult for them. They would operate at night as the distribution centre was in the heart of the city. Since it has been shifted, the gangs have become more aggressive, trying to outshine each other,” said another resident.

Petrol and diesel distribution for big companies like Bharat Petroleum, Indian Oil and Hindustan Petroleum is done from Manmad. “The gang, armed with lathis, wait for the tankers outside the village and pilfer the oil in less than an hour,” said a local witness, but no one dares complain.


The Times of India, January 28, 2011