Following reports of the 'seizure' of cooking gas cylinders from delivery vans by irate consumers on Wednesday, the authorities have deployed the police to ensure safe passage of such vehicles in Kathmandu Valley.

The government deployed the police after the suppliers demanded security.

The residents of Sallaghari had grabbed some 280 cylinders of Himal gas from vehicles yesterday, forcing the driver and his helper to distribute the cylinders to them. The vehicle was underway to Kathmandu from Kavre. They, however, paid for the cylinders took under control.

Similarly, similar incident occurred in Dallu. Police had intervened to take the situation under control.

The supply of LP gas has been minimal for the past several days, creating acute shortage in the market.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has started talks with concerned authorities on the fuel crunch, especially the shortage of cooking gas.

Minister for Commerce and Supplies Lekhraj Bhatta and other officials from Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), among others, were present in the meeting with the Prime Minister.

The PM is learnt to have ordered the officials to do everything under their capacity to ease the supply.

PM also discussed the LPG dealers earlier today and assured them security for the delivery of cooking gas. nepalnews.com