SRI VIJAYA PURAM | NOVEMBER 3, 2026 | DWEEP TULIKA | ANDAMAN NEWS
A prolonged disruption in domestic LPG supply triggered a nearly 12-hour protest at Rest Camp in Mayabunder on Monday, as around 100 residents, predominantly women, stopped a CCS vehicle carrying LPG cylinders and demanded immediate relief from the shortage.
The incident began at approximately 10:30 AM near the Rest Camp Police Outpost along National Highway 4, where women from the locality intercepted the LPG-laden vehicle and sat around it, preventing it from proceeding. The residents demanded a concrete solution to the prolonged shortage of cooking gas, which they said had severely affected their daily household arrangements.
According to information shared with Dweep Tulika by PRI representative Vadivelu, the last LPG cylinder distribution in Rest Camp took place on July 31, 2026. Residents have reportedly received only three rounds of distribution so far this year. The distribution proposed on November 2 would have marked the fourth occasion, had it taken place.
The prolonged gap in supply has reportedly forced families to make internal adjustments, with available cylinders being shared and redistributed among household members to manage essential cooking requirements. Residents said these arrangements had already placed considerable pressure on families, leaving them with an additional demand for cylinders to meet their regular household needs, particularly during the festive season.
Officials' interventions fail to satisfy residents
The Revenue Inspector (RI) reached the protest site at approximately 2 PM and attempted to address the gathering. However, the interaction failed to convince the residents, who continued to insist on a concrete assurance regarding the restoration of LPG supply.
The protesters demanded two cylinders per household—one to compensate for the adjustments and sharing arrangements already made within families due to the prolonged shortage, and another to meet their regular cooking requirements.
The Assistant Commissioner, identified by local sources as Krishna Chaitanya, DANICS, also interacted with residents and their representatives through a video call. However, the discussion reportedly failed to resolve the concerns of the gathering.
According to the information shared with residents during these interactions, the RI, Assistant Commissioner and other officials cited inadequate LPG stock as the primary reason behind the disruption. Residents were also informed that an incoming ship was expected to bring approximately 1,000 LPG cylinders, which could help improve the availability of cooking gas in the region.
Despite these assurances, the residents remained at the location, seeking a definite commitment on when regular distribution would resume.
Police reinforcement leads to release of CCS vehicle
The protest continued into the evening, with the LPG vehicle remaining surrounded by residents.
At approximately 9:30 PM, police personnel increased their deployment at the location and cordoned off the vehicle. Following the reinforcement, the police successfully secured the release of the CCS vehicle from the gathering.
Written undertaking promises LPG supply from December
The matter subsequently reached a resolution after CCS Branch In-charge N. Linga Raj issued a written undertaking dated November 2, 2026, promising that LPG supply would be arranged from December.
The written commitment became the basis for ending the prolonged standoff. Following the undertaking, the protesters gradually dispersed at approximately 10:30 PM, bringing the nearly 12-hour protest to an end.
Supply disruption remains the central concern
While the immediate confrontation ended following the written undertaking, the underlying concern among Rest Camp residents remains the availability of cooking gas.
Officials had informed residents that an incoming ship was expected to bring approximately 1,000 cylinders. The written undertaking promising supply from December has now raised expectations among households that regular distribution will resume.
However, residents will ultimately look for actual delivery of cylinders and a dependable distribution schedule.
The incident highlights the difficulties faced by households in remote island settlements when essential supplies are disrupted for extended periods. The fulfilment of the written undertaking and the restoration of regular LPG distribution will now be closely watched by the residents of Rest Camp.