Police station yard filled with LPG cylinders, explosion fear in Alappuzha district

ALAPPUZHA: A pile of seized gas cylinders has become a major concern for personnel at the Mannancherry police station in Alappuzha district, with around 86 cylinders, including nearly 20 filled ones, currently stacked in the station compound. A week has passed since a representation was submitted to the District Collector seeking the removal of the cylinders from the station premises, citing the threat they pose to the lives and property of police personnel and the public. However, no action has been taken so far.

The cylinders were seized from an alleged illegal trader on the night of September 23 based on confidential information. The accused was reportedly collecting domestic LPG cylinders in the coastal area of Omanappuzha, transferring the gas into commercial cylinders, affixing fake gas agency boards and selling them. Although progress has been made in the case proceedings, police personnel are concerned that no steps have been taken to remove the seized property from the station premises.

Around 40 personnel, including women officers, are attached to the station. More than 20 personnel are usually present at the station at a time, while hundreds of people visit the premises every day.
The continued storage of the cylinders in the station compound without any safety arrangements has raised concerns among both police personnel and members of the public.