— Photo: Ashoke Chakrabarty

MOB FURY: The petrol pump near Raj Bhawan which was ransacked by angry customers in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.

BHUBANESWAR: Over a hundred petrol customers on Saturday ransacked the Indian Oil Corporation's (IOC) retail outlet near Raj Bhawan alleging that the dealer was indulging in adulteration and tampering with the petrol delivery machine.

The incident took place when some students of city-based Basic Science College noticed that the volume of petrol they had purchased from the outlet was under-supplied. When they returned to lodge complaint with the dealer, a group of youths, who seemed to be aggrieved for similar reasons, joined them.

Heated exchanges turned the situation violent. Soon the group along with other consumers started ransacking the petrol pump, which was under renovation. On being informed, a team of police personnel from Capital Police Station rushed to the spot and dispersed the mob. As the situation was slipping out of control, more police force was called to the spot.

Threat alleged

"I found 400 ml short in one litre of petrol that was purchased from the petrol outlet. Moreover, the petrol was regularly adulterated. When I complained about the irregularities, I was threatened with dire consequences," one Niranjan Nayak, who lodged a complaint with Capital Police Station, said.

Checking squad

The Supply Department officials as well as quality checking squad of IOC was summoned to the place. The IOC ordered the dealer not to use the machine, which was alleged to have been tampered with.

"We have collected samples of petrol and those have been sent for testing. The weight and measurement wing of IOC will examine the machine after it will be repaired. The machine was ransacked," Satyajit Bhuyan, Assistant Manager of IOC's Retail Sales, said.

Gyanendra Mishra, a civil supply inspector of the State government, said if the allegations were found to have substance then the outlet would be seized. "Earlier, we had closed down two petrol outlets in the city," Mr. Mishra said.

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