Liquor vends remain open despite blackout orders
Although a black out was declared in Ludhiana yesterday night by the district administration, keeping in view the rising tension between India and Pakistan after Operation Sindoor, but while cocking a snook at the authorities many liquor vends in the city were seen not complying with the orders.
Not giving two hoots to the orders, liquor vends were seen open with all lights inside and outside on and business running as usual. Blackout was announced at 10.20 pm and even after an hour, around 11.30 pm, vends were found open on Pakhowal Road, Sarabha Nagar, BRS Nagar, Lodhi Club Road and Dugri Road.
When one of the workers at the vends located at Lodhi Club Road was asked if he was not aware of the orders, he said that he was doing his duty and had received no instructions from his boss, so he was carrying on as usual.
Another liquor vend at BRS Nagar was all lit up with all fancy lights and shutter open. Kulwant Singh, a senior citizen who lives nearby, said that he requested them to shut the vend or at least switch off the lights, but they did not bother to listen and continue their work as usual. “These kinds of people also put the security of other people at risk,” he said.
Meanwhile, huge rush was witnessed at grocery and department stores and fuel stations. One of the salesmen at a department store said that people came to his shop to buy grocery in bulk. “Huge rush was witnessed on Wednesday and today. People were picking up packets from the shelves in a hurry and so many got torn in the process,” she said. Scattered sugar and pulses on the floor seem to be telling the tale.
Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana Himanshu Jain has appealed to residents to avoid panic buying and hoarding of groceries. He has assured the public that there was no shortage of essential goods and that the situation was completely under control. They were also reminding residents that such actions could lead to black marketing and that strict action would be taken against anyone found hoarding essential items.
