Punjab: Locals block traffic in protest against LPG crisis
Phagwara (PTI): Angry locals blocked vehicular traffic for about 15 minutes near Bhagwan Valmiki Chowk on Phagwara-Hoshiarpur road here on Friday, citing an alleged shortage of cooking gas.
Eyewitness accounts said that the blockade caused significant inconvenience to commuters.
The disruption was resolved after the intervention of Phagwara Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Bharat Bhushan and the traffic police.
Shouting slogans against the government and some unscrupulous elements allegedly black marketing of LPG cylinders, several protesters claimed that they had been going without LPG cylinders for the last several weeks.
They specifically mentioned a nearby gas agency, claiming they had been instructed to book gas online either early in the morning or late at night.
"Even though we have booked the cylinders, we are forced to make repeated visits to the gas agency without receiving gas," an angry local stated.
They complained that well-connected individuals were able to obtain LPG cylinders with just a phone call, while the less fortunate were struggling to secure their supply.
The shutters of the gas agency in question were closed, and no statement could be obtained from its owner.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Modi should leverage his ties with world leaders to de-escalate war in West Asia: Omar Abdullah
Jammu (PTI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said India can play a meaningful role in de-escalation in West Asia, given Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strong relations with the warring countries and their neighbours.
He said Pakistan was leveraging ties with Iran and the United States, and that any effort towards ending the war should be welcomed.
"As I said in the House (Assembly), we would like the war to end as soon as possible. The role that the prime minister can play may not be possible for anyone else because of his good relations with all these countries," Abdullah told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
He, however, said any escalation would not be easy to manage.
"Any such move by US President Donald Trump, despite the long history of Iran resisting external domination, would not be easy," the chief minister said.
Asked about Pakistan mediating in the war, he said, "I will simply say that if any country can play a role in preventing this war, no one should have any objection to it."
He added, "I will repeat what I said … our prime minister has good and close relations with all countries — whether it is Israel, the United States, Iran, or the countries around Iran. If those relationships can be used to make some progress and help ease the situation, it would be a good thing."
Abdullah said attacks by terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed in India, as suggested by a report from the United States, are not unlikely.
Meanwhile, he asserted that any efforts to end the war, be it from Pakistan, must not be resisted.
"Pakistan is using its good relations with Iran and the United States to its advantage, and it has done so. How can we object to that? If that angle helps in stopping the war, would you want them not to act and let the war continue? We want the war to stop. If any country can play a role in that, it should. And if we can play an even better role, then we should do so," he said.
On unemployment in J-K, the chief minister said the issue cannot be resolved overnight, and government jobs alone are not the solution.
He stressed the need to explore alternative avenues, highlighting the importance of Mission Yuva in promoting entrepreneurship.
"Mission Yuva provides not just funding but also support in preparing DPRs and post-startup assistance, such as marketing. In just nine months, distributing Rs 1,000 crore and approving numerous schemes is a significant achievement," he said.
Abdullah credited the coordination between the government and Jammu and Kashmir Bank for the scheme's progress.
