Madurai, March 13 Two individuals were arrested and detained under the Goondas Act in Madurai for allegedly hoarding 398 LPG cylinders for black marketing, marking the first time such stringent action has been taken in Tamil Nadu for cylinder hoarding, police said on Friday.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has also requested the people "not to panic or feel anxious".
In a post on X on March 12, CM Stalin urged them to stand in support of the "efforts being undertaken by the Union Government".
The Tamil Nadu Petroleum Dealers' Association also urged people not to panic-buy petrol or diesel, stating that 14 terminals in Tamil Nadu have enough stock to replenish over 7,000 retail outlets as per their demand.
The arrests in Madurai followed a tip-off received by the Civil Supplies Criminal Investigation Department (CS-CID) regarding the illegal diversion of subsidised domestic gas cylinders for commercial use.
Acting on the information, a special team conducted a raid at an open plot near the residence of Palani in the Kovilpappakudi area, where they seized 100 subsidised domestic cylinders and 109 commercial cylinders.
In a subsequent raid at the house of Madan Kumar, 27, in Anandam Nagar, officials recovered another 189 cylinders, including 126 commercial units.
A senior official stated that both accused have been booked under the Essential Commodities Act and were subsequently detained under the Prevention of Black Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, commonly known as the Goondas Act, by Madurai District Collector Praveen Kumar.
The CS-CID Madurai zone has issued a stern warning that illegal hoarding of essential commodities will be met with severe legal consequences.
The crackdown comes amid rising concerns over a perceived fuel and gas shortage in the region.
K P Murali, President of the Tamil Nadu Petroleum Dealers' Association, urged the public not to panic or indulge in panic buying.
He clarified that the state currently holds sufficient stocks of petrol and diesel to last for at least three weeks.
"There is no need for the public to fear a shortage. All dealers have adequate stock and are continuously receiving supplies from oil companies. Panic buying will only create an artificial shortage that benefits no one," Murali told