Adilabad: The theft of copper coils from power transformers has added to summer power disruptions in north Telangana districts, with police arresting an inter-district gang involved in damaging equipment and stealing components.
Farmers and residents from Nizamabad, Medak, Siddipet, Bodhan and Kamareddy have reported incidents of transformers being damaged in agricultural fields and isolated village locations. The problem has intensified during peak summer, with temperatures reaching 46°C. They said replacing or repairing damaged transformers was costly and time-consuming, affecting irrigation for standing crops and causing losses. Power disruptions have also affected households in rural and outskirts areas.
Police said a five-member gang damaged 64 transformers and stole copper coils over the past two years across these districts. The Nizamabad police brought some relief to farmers by arresting five accused and two scrap shop owners allegedly involved in purchasing the stolen material, while two others are absconding.
The accused were caught on May 21 during vehicle checking by Renjal police at Satapur bypass road in Nizamabad, when copper coils were found in their possession. Police seized 80 kg of copper coils.
According to police, 38 transformers were targeted in Nizamabad district, 20 in Kamareddy, four in Medak and two in Siddipet.
The arrested accused were identified as Vanam Sailu, 38, Jagannatham, 37, Dhana Sri Kiran, 37, of Medak town, Vanam Poshetti, 54, of Bodhan, Dasari Pochaiah, 37, of Narayankhed, and scrap dealers Sayed Akbar Hussain, 42, of Bodhan and Shek Mahbub, 58, of Gupanpalli in Nizamabad. Malappa Master, 25, and Thayappa Dangal, 33, of Medchal district are absconding.
K. Mahesh Kumar of Soan in Nirmal district said theft of transformer components disrupts power supply to motor pump sets used for irrigation, impacting agricultural activity.
Nizamabad Police Commissioner P. Sai Chaithanya said the arrests would provide relief to farmers and residents affected by the thefts.
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