Tura, May 14: A petrol pump worker at Mendipathar in the North Garo Hills district of Meghalaya was arrested today while he was mixing diesel with petrol.

An alert customer, who went there to buy diesel, caught him red-handed, leading to a huge commotion.

The incident this evening has sent shockwaves across the region and raised eyebrows.

Priyanka K. Marak, a resident of Mendipathar, said she became suspicious after a customer, who had bought 80 litres of petrol returned to the petrol pump alleging fuel adulteration.

"One of the workers tried to tell others not to fill petrol as it was adulterated. However, the culprit signalled him to remain silent. This stoked our suspicion. We immediately did a test and found the fuel adulterated. In the meantime, one of the workers fled the spot," Marak said.

She has taken video evidence of the entire incident.

A police team rushed to the pump and found the fuel adulterated.

The pump workers were taken to the police station for further questioning.

The matter was immediately brought to the notice of North Garo Hills district deputy commissioner S.C. Sadhu, who advised Marak to immediately file an FIR at the nearest police station.

Sadhu said the matter would be looked into.

"We will call on the legal metrology department for a thorough check of the two petrol pumps in Resubelpara and Mendipathar," Sadhu said.