What followed after PM Modi’s address was a conglomeration, in which people lined up in front of supermarkets and grocery shops in panic mode.
Mumbai| Prime Minister Modi addressed the nation today on the ongoing corona-crisis. He announced a complete lockdown in the entire country for 21 days. He also urged people not to step out of houses restricting themselves inside Laxman-Resha.
What followed after PM Modi’s address was a disaster, in which people lined up in front of supermarkets and grocery shops in panic mode.
A flurry of videos surfaced on the internet in which people could be seen lining up in front of Super Markets, DMarts, and grocery stores. Mandis were flooded with people trying to stock up vegetables for the lockdown. A complete sense of panic and chaos could be witnessed in urban areas where people rushed towards markets with their vehicles, a complete contrast to what the last two days of lockdown seemed like.
Delhi
Thane
Kalyan
After people started rushing out of their houses and went for a panic buying, PM Modi himself had to clarify on Twitter that all essential services will be available during the lockdown.
My fellow citizens,
THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO NEED TO PANIC.
Essential commodities, medicines etc. would be available. Centre and various state governments will work in close coordination to ensure this.
Together, we will fight COVID-19 and create a healthier India.
Jai Hind!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 24, 2020
State governments had to clarify that no essential services will be closed in the states. Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray addressed the state and explained that food and grocery related shops will stay open.
Delhi Cm Arvind Kejriwal Tweeted that his government will ensure that every citizen of Delhi will get essential services.
प्रधानमंत्री जी ने घोषित किया हुआ 21 दिन का देशव्यापी लॉकडाउन कोरोना को फैलने से रोकने के लिए बेहद जरूरी है
मैं दिल्ली के हर व्यक्ति को आश्वस्त करता हूँ कि अगले 3 हफ्ते essential items की सप्लाई में कोई कमी नहीं होने देंगे। इस मुश्किल समय में आपकी हर जरूरत का ख्याल रखा जाएगा
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 24, 2020
After crowds started swelling around shops and supermarkets in Mumbai and suburban areas
, Mumbai police tweeted asking people to stay calm.
We request Mumbaikars to stay calm & rest assured that all emergency services & essential commodities will be available throughout lockdown. The shops will remain open & you may commute as per guidelines to nearby stores.
#Dial100 if you face any inconvenience. #WarAgainstVirus— Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) March 24, 2020
Coronavirus cases in India saw a huge spike in the last couple of days as numbers crossed 500-mark on Tuesday. PM Modi announced in the same address that they have decided to allot Rs. 15,000 crore for strengthening the medical infrastructure in the country. He also stressed the necessity of providing enough maks, ventilators and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to doctors and health officials fighting on the front against coronavirus.
As an independent media platform, we do not take advertisements from governments and corporate houses. It is you, our readers, who have supported us on our journey to do honest and unbiased journalism. Please contribute, so that we can continue to do the same in future.
