Thieves steal 108 LPG cylinders from godown in UP

BAREILLY: Thieves broke into a gas agency godown in UP's Lakhimpur Kheri on Friday night and decamped with 108 LPG cylinders, in what police suspect to be the work of an organised gang. Notably, there has been a huge demand for LPG cylinders since the West Asia crisis on Feb 28.The targeted warehouse is linked to Karuna Gas Agency, located in Mohalla Singahiya on Dudhwa Road. Agency owner Amit Singh said the miscreants breached the boundary wall to gain entry and committed the theft without raising suspicion. Of the stolen stock, 98 cylinders were filled while 10 were empty. The incident came to light around 7am on Saturday, when an employee arrived at the godown and found it "ransacked". The owner was immediately informed, following which a complaint was lodged at Palia police station.SHO Pankaj Tripathi said the scale of the theft indicated the involvement of multiple persons. “Stealing 108 cylinders is significant and may involve a large group. However, no truck tyre marks have been found at the spot so far,” he said, adding the role of the agency owner is also being examined as part of the investigation. CCTV footage from nearby areas, including Dudhwa Tiger Reserve Road, is being scanned to identify the suspects, police added.