A vehicle carrying around 60 LPG cylinders was seized in Assam’s Bongaigaon district after local residents intercepted it on suspicion of illegal transportation and possible black marketing of cooking gas cylinders, officials and local sources said. The incident took place on Thursday night at Kirtanpara market, where residents reportedly stopped the vehicle and alerted Borghola Police. Following the information, police personnel reached the spot and took possession of the vehicle and the cylinders for further investigation. According to local residents, the vehicle was carrying a large consignment of LPG cylinders at a time when consumers and commercial establishments in several parts of the region are reportedly facing shortages of cooking gas. The seizure has raised questions among residents regarding the purpose of the transportation and the intended destination of the cylinders.
Local sources alleged that the cylinders belonged to a gas agency located in the Panbari area of Chirang district and were allegedly being transported to an individual identified as Salam of Dumuria in Abhayapuri. However, the exact details regarding the ownership and destination of the cylinders have not yet been officially confirmed. Residents also expressed concern over the movement of such a large number of cylinders amid reports of limited availability of LPG supplies in the area. Some locals alleged that the cylinders may have been intended for sale in the black market, where cooking gas cylinders are reportedly being sold at prices ranging between Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,000. These allegations, however, have not been independently verified and are currently part of the ongoing inquiry.
The incident has triggered concern among consumers as well as business owners. Several hotel and restaurant operators in the region have reportedly been facing difficulties due to shortages of LPG cylinders, affecting their daily operations. Meanwhile, allegations have surfaced that journalists who reached the location to cover the incident were prevented from collecting information by police personnel present at the spot. There was no immediate official response from the police regarding the allegation.
