Published 08:11 IST, March 29th 2020
Hyderabad police raids supermarkets selling essentials at a high price amid lockdown
The Hyderabad police on Saturday conducted raids at supermarkets that were selling essential goods at a high price amid the national lockdown.
The Hyderabad police on Saturday conducted raids at supermarkets that were selling essential goods at a high price amid the national lockdown due to the Coronavirus crisis. According to reports, the officials raided several places in the city including Tolichowki, Mehdipatnam, and Vijay Nagar Colony areas. Further, two cases have been registered - one at Mehdipatnam and the other at a supermarket.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Assistant Civil Supplies Officer, Telangana Civil Supplies Department, Tanuja, said, "We are monitoring wherever wholesale and the retail shops are selling in black or at a higher cost or holding the stock. We warned them not to sell items above MRP rates."
The officer further added, "We request people if they have any complaints regarding the purchase of vegetables, fruits, grains, pulses and sugar they can call on the toll-free number 04023447770 and give a complaint. We will privately observe and register cases."
India under lockdown
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day lockdown in the entire country effective from midnight of March 25 to deal with the spread of coronavirus, saying that "social distancing" is the only option to deal with the disease, which spreads rapidly. The 21-day curfew is applicable to all states, districts, and villages - irrespective of whether they were earlier under curfew or not.
COVID-19 cases rise in India
As of date, India has reported over 1,000 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19. Out of all the states, Kerala and Maharashtra have reported the most in the country. Meanwhile, 19 people have died so far due to the deadly virus. Due to the outbreak, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had put India under a national lockdown for 21 days. Further, India has also closed the India-Pakistan border and restricted passenger movement at the border with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar.
Presently, there are around 662,967 confirmed cases of COVID-19 which has led to the death of around 30,851 people. Meanwhile, around 141,953 people have reportedly recovered. Currently, as per reports, the hardest-hit region is the United States of America, followed by China, and then Italy, Iran and South Korea, where the number of cases is rising by the hour.
(With ANI Inputs)
Updated 08:11 IST, March 29th 2020