GANGTOK: The police have arrested three persons from Melli in South Sikkim and seized 180 litres of kerosene oil that they were carrying in a vehicle. The arrested persons have been identified as Dev Prakash Pradhan, Bikram Chhetri and Gazyendra Gurung.According to the police, the trio were actively involved in black marketing of kerosene oil.“A case has been registered against the trio under Section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act 1955,” the police, said.It was alleged that after purchasing kerosene oil as per the rate fixed by the government (Rs 11 per litre), the trio used to sell the same in black market at double the actual price. According to police, of the three arrested persons, Dev Prakash Pradhan owns a fair price shop at Sadam.“Usually, tanker drivers supply kerosene oil and other petroleum products, including petrol and diesel, to the black marketers.” It cannot be denied that the black marketing of petroleum products has become a lucrative business for the unemployed youths of the state, the police official, said.
