The Patna district administration and police are currently handling two major situations in the Danapur area. A female student has been missing for over 48 hours after leaving for her coaching center, prompting a massive search operation. Simultaneously, officials have launched a strict crackdown on the black marketing of LPG cylinders across the district, forming multiple flying squads to stop gas hoarders amid artificial scarcity rumors.
ℹ️: Bihar LPG Crisis: Mid-Day Meals Stopped in Patna Schools, New Rules Apply for Cylinder Booking।
Missing Student Investigation in Danapur
The Danapur Police Station has registered an FIR after the family reported the student missing. She disappeared while heading to her educational institute, and her mobile phone remains unreachable. Special police teams are actively scanning CCTV footage from Nasriganj and Danapur main road to track her last movements. Patrols have also been increased around coaching hubs in the Danapur subdivision to ensure student safety and find leads in the case.
Strict Action Against Gas Hoarders
Patna District Magistrate Thiyagarajan SM clarified that there is no actual shortage of LPG cylinders in the market. The current panic buying is fueled by rumors regarding international supply issues. To curb black marketing during the month of Ramadan, the administration has formed 28 flying squads to conduct surprise raids on gas agencies and godowns. Authorities have already seized 135 illegally hoarded cylinders in Araria and filed FIRs against errant agencies in Danapur, Phulwari Sharif, and Bakhtiyarpur.
New LPG Booking Guidelines and Helplines
The Department of Food and Consumer Protection has introduced mandatory gaps between cylinder bookings to prevent stockpiling. Urban consumers must now wait 25 days, while rural consumers have a 45-day gap between refills. OTP or biometric verification is also mandatory at the time of delivery to stop diversion to the black market. The administration warned of strict action under the Essential Commodities Act and ESMA for anyone caught selling domestic cylinders at higher rates. Consumers can report overcharging or hoarding on the official helpline numbers 0612-2233050 and 0612-2219810.
