Srinagar, July 25: In apparently a first move of its kind, the district administration Kupwara has warned the J&K Government—already in the line of fire over the Valley-wide power crisis—of an “a serious law and order problem” in the north Kashmir district in view of the shortage of essential commodities during the ongoing holy month of Ramadan.
 In a letter to the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, the Deputy Commissioner Kupwara has stated that the district is facing acute shortage of essential commodities including LPG cylinders, which has raised the peoples’ anger, and that there are apprehensions that the non-availability of these items may lead to some untoward incident.
 “As reported by the Assistant Director Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) against the net requirement of 19000 Indane Gas Cylinders and 24500 Gas Cylinders of HP for the current month, only 10538 Indane and 13465 HP Cylinders have so far been received in the district,” the letter dated 24-7-2012, copy of which is with Greater Kashmir, reads.
 It adds: “There is an acute shortage of cooking gas throughout the district. Traders Federations of Handwara, Kupwara, Karnah as well as the general public have been protesting against the shortage of cooking gas.”
 “There is an apprehension of law and order problem in view of holy Ramadan. Kindly intervene and direct the concerned to ensure supply of LPG cylinder to avoid further law and order problem in view of holy month of Ramadan. Besides as against the requirement of 2840 quintals of Atta per month only 900 quintals have been received so far.”
 To mention, people of the district Kupwara have been reeling under the shortage of LPG cylinders as a result of which black- marketing is at its peak.
 Locals allege that due to shortage of LPG cylinders, black marketers and hoarders stock the supply and sell it at exorbitant rates, causing hardships to people.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 25 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 25 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 26 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST