Panic buying as Indo-Pak tension escalates
With India carrying out precision strikes on terrorists’ infrastructure under Operation Sindoor and the level of uncertainty surrounding a potential Pakistani retaliation high, there have been reports of panic buying among residents of the district.
Fear gripped residents after reports about Operation Sindoor and escalating tensions between India and Pakistan were widely circulated in the morning. People crowded local grocery stores, utility stories and even supermarkets to stock ration and utility items. Vehicles lined up at petrol stations across the city as panic buying of supplies, including fuel, medicines, eatables and ration, was seen.
“By noon, we ran out of flour stocks, at least 250 quintals of it, all sold as people bought in bulk. A single customer bought around 20 kg to 30 kg of wheat flour and similarly, stocks of most lentils and everyday items like cooking oil, soap, sugar, salt, etc, are almost near end,” said Ashu, a store manager at a local Kiryana shop on the Lawrence Road.
Supermarket chains like D-Mart, Reliance Fresh and others saw people rushing to stock up supplies. “There is a lot of panic among people as to when Pakistani might attack and since Amritsar is a frontline border district, fear is obvious. Panic buying of medicines and supplies is an obvious reaction,” said Ritu Sareen, a resident of Chheherta, who along with her extended family was seen stocking on flour, cooking oil.
Medical shop owners say that they are getting customers seeking to buy bulk of medicines, including painkillers, medicine for diabetics and gastro infections.
Most petrol stations saw long queues of vehicles consistently since 8am after the DC announced closure of all schools and colleges in the district due to escalating border situation.
What added to the panic was a fake advisory claiming an “ongoing tense situation at the border” and urging people to stock up on cash, fuel, medicines, and emergency supplies, which has been widely circulated on social media and messaging platforms since Tuesday night. Authorities have confirmed that no such notice has been issued and warned the public against falling for such panic-inducing misinformation.
The Deputy Commissioner said the district administration is ready to deal with any situation. Taking note of the queues of people at petrol pumps, grocery shops and ATMs, she said there is no shortage of essential commodities in the district, including oil, cooking gas, medicines and ration. Therefore, people should not encourage black marketing by hoarding these commodities without thinking. She warned those who hoard essential commodities and engage in black marketing that strict action will be taken against anyone found doing so.
She also made an appeal to the district residents not to act on rumours being spread and unnecessary advice being given through social media. “Any or every information, news or advice should be verified and acted upon thoroughly and only then should it be shared further,” she said, adding that an atmosphere of panic should not be created among the common people by sharing such news or advice without thinking.
Amritsar