Hoshiarpur (Gurpreet Singh): Tension gripped Mandiala village in Hoshiarpur district after an LPG tanker explosion late Friday night claimed two lives and left over 30 people injured, many with critical burn wounds. The incident also gutted 15 shops and four houses, causing heavy losses to residents.
The blast, which occurred around 10:30 pm on the Hoshiarpur–Jalandhar highway, followed a collision between the tanker and a mini truck. The tanker overturned, releasing gas that ignited and set the surrounding area ablaze. Emergency services, including multiple fire tenders and SDRF personnel, rushed to the site and battled the flames for hours.
Anger soon spilled over as locals launched a protest, blocking the Hoshiarpur–Jalandhar National Highway. Villagers accused authorities of negligence and demanded immediate relief for affected families, along with a thorough probe into the accident.
“We will not leave the highway until compensation is announced and accountability is fixed,” said one of the demonstrators.
Police diverted traffic and tried to negotiate with the protesters, while medical teams continued treating the injured at Hoshiarpur Civil Hospital.
Officials confirmed that a nearby gas plant, located barely 500 meters from the blast site, remained secure and unaffected — a factor that likely prevented an even greater tragedy.
As rescue and relief measures continue, the spotlight has shifted to the villagers’ demands, with protesters vowing to continue their dharna until justice is delivered.
