Mandiyala LPG Blast: Death toll rises to 7; Magistrate inquiry ordered

Published on: 25 Aug 2025 at 12:22 PM

Published by: PreetiMahajan

The Fact News Service

Hoshiarpur, August 25

Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain on Sunday confirmed that the death toll in the Mandiyala LPG blast has risen to seven, while 13 others remain under treatment. Three injured persons have been discharged after showing improvement.

The deceased have been identified as Sukhjit Singh, Balwant Rai, Dharmendra Verma, Manjit Singh, Vijay, Jaswinder Kaur, and Aradhana Verma. Among the injured are Harbans Lal, Amarjit Kaur, Sukhjit Kaur, Jyoti, Gurmukh Singh, Harpreet Kaur, Kusum, Bhagwan Das, Sita, Ajay, Sanjay, Raghav, and Pooja. Those discharged include Balwant Singh, Suman, and Lali Verma.

The DC announced that a magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident. Additional Deputy Commissioner has been appointed as the inquiry officer and instructed to submit a detailed report within 15 days.

In light of recent reports of gas pilferage, the DC also announced the formation of a district-level vigilance committee to ensure public safety and strict action against offenders. The committee will be headed by the District Food & Supplies Controller, with the Executive Engineer of Punjab Pollution Control Board as co-chairperson, and representatives from the police, deputy director factories, and concerned BDPOs as members. The committee has been directed to conduct inspections, ensure compliance with safety standards, and submit its first report within five days.

Additionally, Vehicle Regulation Committees have been set up to curb illegal parking of heavy vehicles, especially those carrying hazardous substances. This committees will be chaired by the respective Sub-Divisional Magistrates, with the Regional Transport Authority (Hoshiarpur) as co-chairperson. Other members will include representatives from the police, the Public Works Department (National Highways), and municipal bodies. The committee will identify sensitive spots, act under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and coordinate with local bodies to designate safe parking zones.

For relief measures, the DC announced the constitution of a special relief committee under the chairmanship of the SDM Hoshiarpur, with members from the PWD (B&R), PPCB, District Development and Panchayat Officer, and the MA Branch Superintendent. This body will oversee financial assistance, material aid, and medical support to victims in a fair and transparent manner. The committee has been instructed to ensure timely verification of documents and distribution of relief, maintaining complete accountability. A compliance report is to be submitted within five days.

DC Aashika Jain, accompanied by SSP Sandeep Kumar Malik and SDM Hoshiarpur Gursimranjeet Kaur, visited Mandiala village to meet the affected families. She assured them that the district administration is committed to providing justice and adequate compensation. Cases related to compensation for the deceased and the seriously injured are being processed on priority. All concerned officers have been directed to complete damage assessments promptly,” she stated.

The DC reiterated that the administration is determined to ensure that no eligible victim or family is deprived of relief benefits and emphasized that all efforts are being made to support the families in this difficult time.