Tension prevailed in southeast Delhi's Jamia Nagar area as residents hurled stones at police buses amid rumours of shortage of salt and hike in prices of the essential commodities. They also threw stones at the police buses which were rushed to the spot to control the situation. Four policemen have been reportedly injured in the incident, he said.
As the rumour spread, scores of people stepped out on the Kalindi Kunj-Jamia Nagar road and vandalised buses, a senior police officer said.
While police were trying to calm things down, a rumour spread that a trader was shot at during a fight due to the shortage of salt, he said. Police placated the residents and brought the situation under control. Additional force from a neighbouring police stations was also called in, he said.
No Shortage of Salt: Ram Vilas Paswan
Rubbishing rumours of shortage of salt in the country, the Union government today said there has been no increase in prices of the commodity which is being sold at Rs 14-15 per kg in retail markets.
This is rubbish. There is no truth in this rumour. There is no shortage of salt in the country. On an average, salt prices are ruling at Rs 14-15 per kg same at last year’s level. There has not been increase in pricesRam Vilas Paswan, Union Food Minister
Rumour Creates Panic in Western Uttar Pradesh
A rumour of salt shortage that originated in Western UP, triggered panic among citizens on Friday night.
People thronged grocery stories and bought huge quantities of salt at one go fearing that salt prices will rise to Rs 200 per kg from its current price of around Rs 20 per kg.
In Moradabad district of Uttar Pradesh, there were reports of panicked customers flocking to market as rumours flew thick and fast.
Circle Officer Kotwali area Poonam Mishra said police teams have been sent to Katra Naj from where reports of black marketing had emanated.
However, in a series of tweets, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman too said there was no shortage of edible salt.
Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia Clear the Air
This sudden panic is likely to be an effect of demonetisation that has already held the country hostage to a lot of chaos.
To calm down alarmed citizens, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia took to Twitter to explain that news of the price rise of salt is only a hoax.
In the Makbara market and Karbula markets of Uttar Pradesh, shopkeepers were unable to offer change for higher denomination notes, when people came to purchase commodities like salt. For example, some shopkeepers demanded Rs 500 for three kgs of salt as they did not have change.
Furthermore, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that shortage of salt was a rumour and asked people of Delhi to not believe in such rumours.
Some people are spreading rumours that there is shortage of salt and sugar, this is false.Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Chief Minister
(With inputs from PTI.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)