HT Correspondent
MARGHERITA, April 29: A tense situation unfolded outside M/S Margherita Gas Supply in Margherita town on Wednesday morning hours following an alleged shortage of LPG cooking gas, with hundreds of consumers gathering at the agency premises amid mounting frustration over supply issues.
Despite repeated assurances from both the Union and State governments regarding adequate availability of petroleum products, residents alleged that the ground reality in Margherita reflected an acute shortage of domestic LPG cylinders.
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According to locals, customers began queuing outside the agency from late night in an attempt to secure cooking gas cylinders and many reportedly spent the entire night at the premises waiting for distribution to begin.
The situation turned chaotic after the agency opened on Wednesday morning, as large crowds accused the gas supply agency of failing to distribute LPG cylinders adequately, with several consumers expressing anger against the agency authorities, alleging mismanagement and deliberate harassment of ordinary customers.
Witnesses stated that the unrest escalated to such an extent that personnel from the Margherita Police and officials from the Margherita Co-District Administration had to rush to the spot to control the situation and prevent further escalation.
A section of agitated consumers also temporarily obstructed operations at the gas agency, alleging that LPG stock was available but was not being distributed properly among customers. They appealed to the Margherita Co-District administration to shut down M/S Margherita Gas Supply and to provide two more gas agencies in Margherita town.
The incident has raised serious concerns among residents over the availability and distribution of essential fuel supplies in the region, as consumers questioned why people were being forced to stand in overnight queues despite official claims that there was no shortage of fuel.
The developments have also prompted demands for an inquiry into the allegations leveled against M/S Margherita Gas Supply regarding the handling and distribution of LPG cylinders.
Authorities had not issued any official statement on the allegations at the time of filing this report.
