SRINAGAR, Mar 25: Rumours of a possible lockdown due to fuel shortages amid the ongoing Iran war triggered panic buying across Kashmir today, with long queues witnessed at petrol pumps across the Valley, particularly in Srinagar, even as the administration assured that adequate supplies are available.
\nA majority of fuel stations saw an unusual rush as residents feared that the Government might impose restrictions due to a potential energy crisis. The surge in demand led to congestion at several outlets, with some petrol pumps temporarily shutting operations due to the sudden influx of vehicles, further fuelling anxiety among consumers.
\n\u201cI heard that the Government was planning to enforce a lockdown due to fuel shortage, so I came here to refill my tank. I do not know what the issue is,\u201d said a motorist in Srinagar.
\nTariq Ahmad, a resident from Soura said he found a petrol pump closed, which heightened his concern. \u201cI left home to fill petrol but found the pump closed, which increased my anxiety. If there is no crisis, why petrol pumps refuse us fuel?\u201d he asked.
\nHowever, fuel station operators dismissed fears of any shortage, attributing the situation to panic triggered by misinformation. \u201cWe have enough stock available here and vehicles carrying more supplies are in transit. We have also received assurances from oil companies and the Government regarding availability of supplies. People should stop panic buying,\u201d said Nissar Ahmad, a petrol pump manager in Srinagar.
\nAnother petrol pump owner, Ubaid Ahmad Mir from Anantnag, said there is no shortage of fuel and blamed unnecessary panic among people. \u201cWe have ample supplies available. People are unnecessarily creating panic,\u201d he said.
\nSome motorists also reported normal availability of fuel. \u201cI left home thinking there is a shortage, but got my tank filled easily. There is nothing like a shortage-ample supply is available. People should not believe rumours,\u201d said another motorist in Srinagar.
\nSimilar scenes were reported from several parts of Kashmir, where panic buying triggered by misinformation led to heavy rush at fuel stations despite sufficient availability of fuel.
\nMeanwhile, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, said there is no need for panic over rumours of a possible lockdown and urged people to rely only on official Government communication. He warned of strict action against those spreading misinformation.
\nSpeaking to reporters in Srinagar amid speculation of a lockdown linked to emerging energy concerns due to the Iran war, Garg said any such decision would be formally communicated by the Government. \u201cIf anything like that happens, you will get information from the Government,\u201d he said, adding that the Prime Minister and the administration are regularly addressing the situation.
\nHe said the administration is closely monitoring the availability of essential commodities and ensuring their adequate supply and distribution. \u201cThere is no need for any panic. Stocks of essential commodities are being monitored, and their sufficiency and distribution are being ensured,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SRINAGAR, Mar 25: Rumours of a possible lockdown due to fuel shortages amid the ongoing Iran war triggered panic buying across Kashmir today, with long queues witnessed at petrol pumps across the Valley, particularly in Srinagar, even as the administration assured that adequate supplies are available. A majority of fuel stations saw an unusual rush […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":35924,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,67,15,89],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35923","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business","category-header","category-jammu-and-kashmir","category-national"],"gutentor_comment":0,"yoast_head":"\n