Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
Alleging non-supply of cooking gas cylinders despite confirmed bookings and rampant black marketing at inflated rates, the Uddhav Sena on Friday staged coordinated protests at 23 gas agencies across the city.
During the agitation, party workers caught a rickshaw driver allegedly selling a cylinder at a higher price in Mayur Park and handed him over to the police. The main protest, led by senior leader Ambadas Danve, was held outside Mangesh Gas Agency at Bajrang Chowk in Cidco N-7, while memorandums were submitted to 22 other agencies citywide. Protesters raised slogans demanding immediate cylinder delivery after booking and strict action against black marketing. Danve said the ongoing Gulf conflict has led to a domestic gas shortage, with bookings not being accepted as usual and commercial gas bookings halted, causing hardship to citizens even as black market sales continue. Women city organiser Sukanya Bhosale, Chhaya Devarath and Veerbhadra Gadge were among those present. At the Garkheda protest, Assembly chief Pramod Thengde, district president Santosh Khendke, Purushottam Panpat, Bapu Kavale, Mohan Maske others participated. At Heram Gas Agency, Trimurti Chowk, Nandu Labde, Renuka Joshi, Suchita Ambekar, Gorakh Sonawane, Nagesh Shinde and Sachin Jadhav joined the agitation. Police inspector Swati Kedar and her team reached Mayur Park after being alerted about the seized loading rickshaw. A case is being registered, and further details are awaited.