Daltonganj: Theft of low-tension aerial bunched (LTAB) cables worth Rs 5,16,774 was detected at three locations in Latehar district, prompting police and power department action.The thefts occurred in Chandwa police station area, where residents of Sasang village caught an alleged thief, Zakir Khan (53) of Ratu in Ranchi district, while cables were being cut and stolen in the early hours of July 30. Villagers allegedly thrashed Khan before handing him over to police.Latehar SDPO Sandip Gupta said, “A contractual electricity worker informed chowkidar Krishan Dayal Sahni around 3.45am about the theft of insulated overhead power supply lines at Sasang. Following the alert, electricity officials inspected the area and found thefts at three locations.”According to police, 1,050 metres of cable from 30 electricity poles was stolen at Sasang. Another 550 metres from 15 poles was cut and stolen at Chetar village, while 300 metres from eight poles went missing at Loharsi.Assistant engineer Birsa Oraon lodged an FIR under the Electricity Act against Khan and his associates. A separate FIR was registered on the complaint of the chowkidar against 50-60 unidentified persons for allegedly assaulting Khan. Cases have been registered under relevant provisions of the BNS and the Electricity Act.Daltonganj electricity circle executive engineer Santosh Kumar said, “Theft of LTAB cables not only causes financial losses but also disrupts electricity supply to consumers.“
