The students of the college took to the streets and marched towards the office of the DC, demanding immediate respite for the LPG consumers.

“We insist that the authorities concerned take action against the blackmarketeers,” said the CCUS, mentioning that the shortage of LPG cylinders has caused immense inconvenience in the hostels.

It needs to be mentioned here that the protesting students also blocked the road, miffed at the failure of the administration to give an assurance that the supply of LPG cylinders would be regular.

The road blockade created traffic chaos in the area which compelled the Supply Superintendent to come to the spot and give the assurance that LPG supply would be made regular to the hostels within 24 hours.

Earlier, angry consumers this morning indulged in vandalism at the Pinakshi Gas Agency near the Chandmari flyover, accusing the gas agency authorities of indulging in unethical practices and depriving the legitimate consumers of LPG. Police had to intervene to bring the situation under control.

Consumers alleged that it took as long as two months for a person to get a cooking gas cylinder after booking it after 21 days of getting the first cylinder. “It is happening because of blatant malpractices on the part of the gas agencies – something evident from the flourishing black-market of LPG cylinders,” an aggrieved consumer said.

The consumers said that the gap of period for booking a cylinder varied among different gas agencies – from 15 days to 21 days. “We have no problem booking a cylinder after 21 days but it is outlandish if we have to wait for two months after that to get a cylinder. This is directly attributable to illegal practices thriving under the very nose of the authorities,” he added.

Another consumer said that it was high time the IOC authorities looked into the matter and ensured some semblance of normalcy in the harrowing situation. “There should also be a complaint number of the IOC over which the aggrieved customers can lodge protests,” he said.

Police said both the customers and the gas agency owners lodged cross FIRs at the Chandmari police station.