Jamshedpur: BJM protest against fuel pilferage in Tatanagar Railway Yard, Burmamines

Jamshedpur: In a resolute display of dissent, over 200 activists from the Bhartiya Jantantra Morcha ( BJM) gathered on Thursday in front of the East Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner’s office in Jamshedpur to protest against rampant fuel pilferage in the Tatanagar railway yard and the adjacent Burmamines locality.

For the past decade, an unspecified quantity of petrol and diesel has been pilfered from tankers at the Tatanagar railway yard, with illegal commercial activities flourishing in the region. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) at Tatanagar, responsible for overseeing stationary rail tank cars, has been accused of turning a blind eye to the persistent theft.

The protesters, expressing their growing discontent, staged a dharna that garnered attention and concern. The agitation, reaching almost a fever pitch, saw a delegation meeting with the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Kishore Kaushal, after hours of demonstration.

The Senior SP assured the protestors that steps would be initiated to curb all illegal activities in the Burmamines and Tatanagar railway yard area. The involvement of Jamshedpur East legislator, Sarayu Roy, added political weight to the cause, as he actively participated in the dharna and apprised the Senior SP of the criminal activities at the railway yard.

Saryu Roy, during his meeting with the Senior SP, emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue, urging effective measures to combat fuel theft and highlighting concerns about unauthorized iron scrap depots operating in the area.

“The police have to find out who are the persons indulged in pilfering petrol and diesel from the Tatanagar railway yard and running unauthorized scrap depots in Burmamines. The police have to stop all the illegal activities immediately,” said Sarayu Roy, addressing the press.

Both the Tatanagar railway yard and the Burmamines fall under the jurisdiction of the Jamshedpur East assembly segment. Members of the BJM and its youth wing, Bhartiya Jantantra)Yuva Morcha, who vigilantly monitor the assembly segment area, keep the legislator informed about any illicit activities in the region.

As the protest gains momentum, the activists and residents affected by the fuel pilferage issue are hopeful that the authorities will take swift and decisive action to put an end to the illegal activities plaguing the Tatanagar railway yard and its surrounding areas.