Leaves of police personnel cancelled
Delhi Police has cancelled routine leave for its personnel with immediate effect to maintain law and order amid the LPG supply concerns, triggering widespread anxiety among households and businesses. In an order issued by the Joint Commissioner of Police (Operations), all districts and units have been directed not to grant routine leave to any personnel until further orders.
The communication, dated March 12, stated that leave will be sanctioned only in genuine emergency cases and that too after due verification and approval by the competent authority.
“All DCPs are requested to ensure meticulous compliance,” the order said, adding that it has the approval of the special commissioner of police (operations).
The directive comes as Delhi Police has increased vigilance across the city due to irregular LPG supplies that have led to complaints of black marketing, panic buying and crowding outside gas agencies in some areas.
Earlier, senior police officials had directed station house officers (SHOs) to prepare lists of gas agencies in their jurisdictions and deploy police personnel near them to maintain law and order and ensure smooth distribution of LPG cylinders.
Police teams, including PCR vans, motorcycle patrol units and plain-clothes personnel, have been stationed near gas agencies to deter hoarding and prevent the illegal sale of cylinders at inflated prices. The deployment aims to ensure that cooking gas reaches consumers through the proper distribution system and to prevent any attempt to exploit the supply crunch, according to officials.
Several households and businesses, especially restaurants, reported disruptions in regular supplies, with some switching to alternatives such as piped natural gas and induction cooking.
The Delhi Police has cautioned citizens against clicking on suspicious links or trusting calls from unknown numbers claiming to be from gas agencies, warning that cyber fraudsters may exploit the ongoing panic over LPG availability to dupe people and steal their hard-earned money.
