Govt arranges security escorts to distribute LPG

KATHMANDU, Feb 2: In a bid to ensure smooth distribution of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), the government on Thursday arranged security escorts to the gas bottling companies so that they could deliver the refilled cylinders safely up to their respective gas depots -- their retailing hands.



The security escorts were arranged mainly after consumers, in desperation to get hold of cooking fuel, which has become scarce since last month, started to act in an unruly manner. On Wednesday, desperate consumers at Sallaghari in Bhaktapur had taken control of three vehicles ferrying 280 refilled LPG cylinders from Himal Gas Company and forced the company staff to sell them on the spot. [break]



Later on the day, yet another group of desperate consumers had also made similar attempts against three vehicles ferrying refilled cylinders of Sagar Gas Company. However, their attempts were foiled after police intervened into the scene immediately.



Likewise, on Thursday, locals of Tankeshwor in Kathmandu at 9am tried to take control of a Tata Mobile Ba 2 Cha 7110, which was ferrying 48 refilled cylinders of Baba Gas Company. Their attempt, too, was foiled after police from Swoyambhu Police Range intervened into the scene promptly.



“Though the situation was tense, the police rescued the vehicle and its staffs and escorted them safely to a dealer in Samakhushi where the consignment was destined to,” said DSP Dhiraj Pratap Singh, spokesperson of Metropolitan Police Range (MPR) Hanumandhoka.



Following a series of incidence, the government instantly instructed the Home Ministry for the security escorts. Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai held an emergency with the top brass of Nepal police and duly instructed them to tackle the situation sensitively.



Responding to the instruction, Metropolitan Police Range instantly issued circulars to all police stations across the Valley to make arrangements for security escorts to every vehicle ferrying LPG cylinders if required.



“Our records say, a total of 60 vehicles were escorted to their respective destinations in the Valley on Thursday,” Singh told Republica.



Meanwhile, police on Thursday nabbed Rajan Shrestha, proprietor of Rajan Gas Depot in Kamalpokhari, for hoarding 68 refilled cylinders. “Actions against him will be taken on charges of black marketing,” reads a statement of Metropolitan Police Range, Kathmandu.



Police also seized 15 cylinders being hoarded at a shop run by Jeevan Prasad Shrestha in Bagbagar.

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