Sambalpur: A pickup van carrying a large number of LPG cylinders overturned near Metakani dhaba on Sambalpur University road under Burla police station limits on Thursday, leading police to uncover an illegal gas storage and transportation racket. Police arrested Manthan Prasad Mahato (27) of Burla Market area in connection with the case.Burla SDPO Baleshwar Gidhi said police received information about the accident around 8am while a patrol team was on duty. When officers reached the spot, they found the overturned vehicle on the roadside with a large consignment of LPG cylinders inside.Police seized 161 cylinders from the vehicle, including 62 filled. Mahato confessed that he operates a gas storage facility at Atachakipada in Burla.Police said the warehouse was illegal and suspected that the accused was diverting cylinders for black-marketing purpose, especially amid the ongoing shortage in the region. A case has been registered at Burla police station, and the accused has been forwarded to court. Further investigation is underway.
