Tensions flared in Ratangarh town of Churu district in Rajasthan after a protest over the ongoing commercial LPG shortage turned chaotic, leading to a brief scuffle between demonstrators and a bystander.
Workers of the Indian National Congress staged a protest to highlight the statewide shortage of commercial LPG cylinders. During the demonstration, protesters burned an effigy of Narendra Modi and raised slogans criticising the central government over the fuel supply crisis.
According to eyewitnesses, the situation escalated when a man approached the group and attempted to stop the effigy burning. The intervention led to a heated argument and eventually a scuffle, with several protesters many dressed in white shirts and green kurtas seen pushing and grabbing him.
The incident occurred outside a gated building in Ratangarh and briefly disrupted the protest before local people intervened to calm the situation. No serious injuries were reported, but the confrontation added to the tension surrounding the LPG shortage.
LPG Crisis Hits Businesses
The protest comes amid a growing commercial LPG shortage in several parts of the state. Fresh bookings for commercial cylinders have reportedly been halted since early March, leading to difficulties for hotels, restaurants, and small factories that rely heavily on LPG for daily operations.
Business owners say the shortage has triggered panic buying and long queues at gas distribution centers. Many establishments are struggling to continue operations as cylinder supplies remain uncertain.
Supply Concerns Linked to West Asia
Industry sources suggest that supply disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions in West Asia have affected the availability of LPG shipments, creating a ripple effect in local markets.
Political leaders and traders’ associations have urged authorities to ensure regular supply and address the shortage quickly to prevent further disruption to businesses and daily life.
