ATMs, petrol pumps run dry amidst uncertainty

With no end to uncertainty and speculations, panic struck people on Saturday thronged markets across Kashmir where ATMs and petrol pumps have started running dry due to unprecedented rush.

Most of the petrol pumps shut the operations as massive rushof motorists jostling to get petrol and diesel filled.

   

The level of panic is to an extent that families who havemarriage ceremonies scheduled in coming days are uncertain of the plans.

Many families at the last minute have modified their plansand decided to celebrate the weddings with complete austerity.

“Everyone is saying that something is going to happen. Sinceno one knows what lies in future, it is important to stock up baby food,important medicines and essentials,” said Masarat Jan, a resident ofHazratbal. 

People in large numbers were seen thronging vegetable,poultry and medicine shops. “Whether or not something will happen is secondarybut we cannot take a chance. I purchased sufficient amount of milk andvegetables for atleast last a week,” said Basit Ahmad of Hyderpora.

Meanwhile, many petrol pump dealers said they have exhaustedtheir stocks due to “panic buying” by people adding that petrol pumps which hasstocks available were selling it “cautiously”. 

Many Srinagar-based petrol pumps shut down their businessand stopped providing petrol on Saturday asking for “police protection” sayingthey suffered huge losses due to “unruly customers,”.

A petrol pump dealers said “decision to close their outletshas been taken in the wake of incidents of appropriation of fuel leading toequipment damages and manhandling of staff by mobs on Friday”.

However, he said sales of fuel was restored at many  on Saturday evening. Even as people ran frompillar to post to purchase petrol, administration claimed there was sufficientstock of fuel available.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan said  there was sufficient stock of petrolavailable. “There is nothing such as shortage of fuel. Enough stocks areavailable,” said Khan.

Meanwhile, adding to the panic, an order issued byDepartment of Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs ( FCSCA) asked alldepots to expedite lifting of foodgrains but “not to distribute it till further orders”. 

However, officials said enough stocks of foodgrain areavailable with the department. “It is a normal procedure to expedite picking upof food grains as we prepare to introduce new stocks. It is an old order whichhas gone viral and has no significance now,” said Muhammad Qasim Wani,director, FCSCA. “People should not panic as we have abundant supplies ofessentials available,” said Wani.

Shahr-e Khass Traders Coordination chairman Nazir Ahmad Shahurged management of Jammu and Kashmir Bank to keep open the branches on Sundayin wake of the situation.

“We urge the J&K Bank management to keep open itsbranches in Srinagar in view of the emerging chaotic situation. We also seekaction against petrol pump dealers who of their own keep the pumps open or shutthem,” said Nazir Ahmad Shah.

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