Locals claim to have not received refills for over a month
LPG CRISIS FALLOUT: Calangute Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira is restrained by police during a protest outside a local gas agency, as tensions escalate over delayed LPG cylinder supplies.
MAPUSA
A tense and telling scene unfolded in coastal Calangute early Wednesday morning when Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira, standing in line with a domestic gas cylinder to highlight erratic LPG supply, was allegedly pushed and shoved by police during a protest outside a local gas agency.
Sequeira, joined by a large number of agitated residents, had queued up outside Manguesh Teli’s HP Gas agency to underscore the growing frustration over delayed cylinder deliveries, with locals claiming they had not received refills for over a month.
The unusual sight of an elected representative waiting in line with a cylinder drew significant attention and quickly snowballed into a larger protest.
Tensions escalated when police attempted to take the agency owner for questioning. Residents blocked the police vehicle, demanding immediate answers over the prolonged disruption in supply.
In the ensuing chaos, police were seen pushing back the crowd, with Sequeira himself caught in the scuffle.
Speaking to the media, a visibly upset Sequeira said he had repeatedly raised the issue with the distributor.
“I even offered space to streamline distribution so people could collect cylinders comfortably, but there was no response. A complaint was also lodged with the police over the erratic service,” he said.
Expressing his frustration, Sequeira added, “I am a BJP karyakarta, part of the ruling party, yet I have to stand in a queue like this and face such humiliation. We are completely disappointed with the kind of treatment being meted out.”
Residents echoed similar grievances.
Vivek D’Silva said the agency had prominently advertised doorstep delivery but had failed to honour it for weeks.
“For more than a month now, people have not received cylinders at home. We are being forced to come here and still not getting proper service,” he said.
With tempers running high, locals, along with the sarpanch, have warned of intensified agitation if the issue is not resolved within two days. They have threatened to stage a sit-in protest outside the Civil Supplies Department office.
Consumer rights body GOACAN also weighed in, stating that poor home delivery service has been a persistent issue in Calangute. Convenor Roland Martins said the company must assess whether the dealer has adequate staff and vehicles to meet delivery commitments.
“The company should evaluate the dealer’s capacity to service consumers. If doorstep delivery is not feasible, the reasons must be clearly addressed. The complaint redressal mechanism must also be strengthened and made more visible,” Martins said.
The incident comes at a time when concerns over LPG availability are already mounting across the State, with the situation in Calangute emerging as a flashpoint highlighting gaps in last-mile delivery and consumer service.
