Tragedy Strikes in Punjab as Elderly Man Dies in LPG Queue
A 60-year-old man, Bhushan Kumar, died of cardiac arrest after standing for three hours in an LPG queue in Sehna, Barnala district, Punjab, on Friday. This marks the first such fatality in the state since the onset of the current energy crisis, underscoring the dire situation faced by residents.
Early Morning Queue Turns Fatal
Bhushan Kumar, serial number 25 among 125 customers, had queued up at 5 am at the gas agency. Residents had started assembling well before the agency's announced opening time of 8 am, with anxiety levels running high. At 7:50 am, after nearly three hours of waiting, Bhushan collapsed. He was rushed to a hospital but died en route, leaving the community in shock.
Growing Frustration Over Supply Delays
The tragedy was compounded by agency representatives announcing an increase in the gap for cylinder refills from 25-30 days to 45 days, exacerbating the stress among those in line. Jagga Singh, serial number 3, who arrived at 4:30 am, recounted the incident: "All of a sudden, he collapsed. We were shocked. We rushed to help him, but he breathed his last when we were taking him to hospital."
Official Response and Inquiry
Barnala Deputy Commissioner Harpreet Singh expressed regret over the incident, stating, "It's very unfortunate that a person died while waiting to get LPG supplies." He has ordered an inquiry by the civil supplies department to investigate any discrepancies in supply timelines and explore compensation for the bereaved family. Police, led by SSP Sarfaraz Alam, are examining the circumstances, though initial reports suggest it was a natural death.
Broader Implications of the Energy Crisis
This incident highlights the severe impact of Punjab's energy shortage, with residents forced to endure long waits for essential supplies. Located about 20 km from Barnala, Sehna's residents face increasing hardships as supply gaps widen, raising concerns about public health and safety amid the ongoing crisis.
