Srinagar: Commissioner Secretary, Public Health Engineering (PHE) Irrigation and Flood Control Department Farooq Ahmad Shah has ordered an inquiry into the alleged sale of departmental pipes by officials at Surankote area of Poonch district.

“I have asked Chief Engineer Jammu to carry out a thorough investigation into the incident and place accused immediately under suspension,” Shah said.

Those found guilty will not be spared and shall be dismissed from services, Shah said.” They should be charge sheeted and we will not hesitate to dismiss the official involved in it,” Shah added.

Earlier a police team, acting on specific information, raided a shop at Surankote and found 22 pipes (2.5 inches in diameter) of Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department, sub-division Surankote.

The police recovered all the pipes which were allegedly sold by the PHE officials in the black market, they said. DSP Surankote Reyaz Ahmad also confirmed it and said that it was a scam which has been unearthed by police. He said that investigations would reveal culpability of the officials and those found guilty will face action as per the law.

“A case (FIR No. 242/2018) under section 409, 109 RPC has been registered and further investigations were taken up,” the officer said. Meanwhile, local residents hailed police action and demanded stern action against the PHE officials involved in the scam.

“We staged protests, blocked the road in demand of the shortage of water due to lack of pipes umpteen times. Little did we know that pipes meant for ensuring potable water supply have been sold in the black market,” the locals said while demanding a stern action against the officials involved. (GNS)