Imphal, Jun 17: In a major breakthrough a special team of the banned RPF/PLA uncovered unscrupulous element supplying life saving oxygen cylinders whose contents are found to be less than the prescribed quantity.

Besides parading the main accused a spokesman of the outfit told media persons, somewhere in Imphal East district tonight, that rather than providing oxygen cylinder (apparatus) as engaged by RIMS Hospital, one Raju Mandal currently running a shop in MG Avenue (Tools Centre) had been supplying industrial oxygen for the past few months.

Explaining on it, the spokesman pointed out that utilisation of the industrial oxygen cylinder to patients had often resulted in demises of the ailing which had even flummoxed medical personnel caught unaware of the shoddy commercial practice.

Confessing before media-persons, Raju said out of recent supply of 200 such cylinders 10 meant for industrial purposes were supplied, but hastened to add that it might have been due to sorting mistakes.

He also informed that the apparatus were acquired on June 8 from an agency named Assam Air Product located near Guwahati.

Raju's father is said to have started the business of supplying oxygen to RIMS since long back with the son taking charge sometime in 2003-04.Divulging more details on the RPF operation, the spokesman claimed that on June 8 this year RIMS Hospital was supplied oxygen consignments out of which a particular item (No 31076) was filled with only 40-48 percent thereby endangering recovery of patients.

Actual content of an oxygen cylinder is said to be 90-95 percent.

He also conveyed of Raju saying that some cylinders with doubtful contents might have reached Shija Hospitals & Research Institute as well as Catholic Medical Centre, Koirengei for which authorities of the private medical centres would be intimated.

While urging staffs/employees directly involved in receiving the consignments, the spokesman stated that on humanity ground as well as willingness of Raju to cooperate in further investigation no harsh action would be initiated.

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