NANGAL/UNA – Panic gripped several villages along the Punjab-Himachal border near Nangal on Wednesday night following reports of a suspected gas leakage emanating from one of the chemical plants operating in the Nangal industrial area.
The incident occurred around 8 pm when residents from adjoining Himachal villages, including Malookpur, reported seeing thick white clouds hovering over the area. This immediate sight sparked widespread fear, compounded by reports of children in Malookpur village complaining of breathing difficulties. As a precaution, local gurdwaras in Punjab’s Sanoli Majra village used public address systems to urge residents to stay indoors and keep doors and windows closed.
Una BJP MLA Satpal Satti quickly visited the affected areas and confirmed, “The situation is normal now, though there were reports of breathing problems in some pockets.”
Nangal SDM Sachin Pathak confirmed that teams from the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) were immediately dispatched to the Nangal industrial area to collect samples. The focus of the investigation is on two major units: National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) and Primo Chemicals. During preliminary checks, both companies reportedly denied any leakage from their facilities. The SDM emphasized, “The exact cause can only be established after the PPCB submits its analytical report.”
Meanwhile, videos purportedly showing the white gas clouds have gone viral on social media, deepening public anxiety. Villagers from the affected border regions have warned of protests if such incidents recur, demanding stricter environmental monitoring and safety audits of the chemical units operating in the sensitive border zone.
