21 arrested for power theft in Manipur

Imphal: In a major crackdown against power theft, police arrested 21 individuals for indulging in the malpractices, a high official said on Tuesday.

H Shantikumar Singh, Managing Director of the Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited (MSPDCL) said “Mass checking was organised in four valley districts with coordination of Manipur Police on Monday.”

Unauthorised individuals were found indulged in illegally tapping MSPCL Low Tension lines and promoting theft of power.

The raids were conducted in the districts of Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, and Kakching.

Police have been requested to register FIR against all the delinquent consumers and promoters of unauthorized colonies who are responsible for causing loss to PSPCL by way of power theft.

As per the Electricity Act, of 2003, illegal usage of electricity is a cognizable offense and the offender is punishable with imprisonment for a term of up to three years or with a fine or both.

The Managing Director also said that the campaign against power theft will continue in the coming days too and honest consumers should help MSPCL by reporting the incidents of power thefts so that the department’s losses due to these wrongdoings can be curbed.