Three vegetable vendors booked for overcharging

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 31

Although the district administration has warned against selling vegetables and other essential commodities, several shopkeepers gave a scant regard to such instructions.

The police have arrested three such shopkeepers and vendors selling vegetables at higher prices than that stipulated by the administration here on Tuesday.

Sukhwinder Singh Randhawa, in charge CIA staff, revealed that the police got a tip-off about such vendors near Gurdwara Shaheed Baba Deep Singh. The police have nabbed three vendors identified as Shamsher Singh, Amarnath and Mukesh. Shamsher was selling vegetables near the shrine, while the other two were selling vegetables near White Avenue. He had opened the shop without requisite permission from the administration. Randhawa said the administration had fixed the prices of vegetables but the accused were selling vegetables almost at double prices from wholesale rates. The administration had asked them to deliver items door to door instead of gathering people at shops.

He said shadow customers were sent at these shops and the vegetables procured at the rates were compared with the prices fixed by the administration. When the accused were found indulging in overpricing, action under Section 188 of the IPC was taken against them.

85 held for violating curfew restrictions

Around 85 persons were arrested by the rural police on Monday for violating curfew restrictions imposed in view of the Covid pandemic in the country.

They were found roaming aimlessly on roads during the relaxation given to residents to procure household goods from shops in the time period allotted by the administration.

Vikram Jeet Duggal, SSP Amritsar, rural, said cops were deputed on roads in civil dresses to check violations. He said they rounded up around 78 persons who were out on roads without any valid reason or curfew pass. The police have registered a case against them. Seven others were arrested under the similar offence. They were later released on bail.

Banks and clinics were given relaxation but people were seen giving lame excuses for getting out of their homes, which defeats the purpose of curfew. He said the restrictions were imposed for the benefit of people. He said the policemen were also ensuring supply of essential goods at home.

He warned those who were spreading fake messages about shortage of essential items in villages.

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