Restrictions trigger panic buying

Thiruvananthapuram: The city corporation’s decision of allowing only 50% shops in the city to function on a given day seem to have failed to evoke desirable response from citizens.
On Wednesday, the day designated for shopping malls and supermarkets, the city witnessed its residents going on panic buying mode. This forced police to initiate strong action at several locations, including booking shop or supermarket authorities for not regulating crowd.
Long queues could be seen outside major supermarkets as the staff closed the shutter halfway, letting only limited number of people inside. Those who did not take such measures had to face police action.
On Wednesday, police booked cases against numerous shops for not regulating the crowd and opening shops against restrictions. Despite giving instructions that vegetable shops must remain shut on Wednesdays, many vendors had opened their shops as they were unaware of the decision. Many of them claimed that the decision was not properly informed.
Meanwhile, at major shopping spots such as Chalai market, there was strong presence of police. Cases were also registered against shops that failed to provide hand sanitizers to customers. Police have also decided to suspend trade license of 37 store owners who violated regulations.
Police officers said despite this setback, the system will continue. From Thursday more police personnel will be deployed on streets for law enforcement.
“The state police chief has decided to mobilize all special units of the department to law and order. This would help us enforce the new system more effectively from Thursday,” said sources at the city police commissioner’s office.
The corporation had taken a decision to ensure only 50% open shops in markets and stores on alternate working days to reduce crowd. The decision was taken during a meeting convened by minister Kadakampally Surendran and city corporation mayor K Sreekumar.
Also, on Wednesday, the city police barricaded roads leading to Karikkakom and Kadakampally wards that were declared as containment zones.