Chaos at shops and drugstores in Patna

PATNA: It was a virtual chaos as people made a beeline for general stores, drug shops and vegetable markets in the city soon after PM Narendra Modi announced countrywide lockdown for 21 days to break the chain of Covid-19.
Residents were seen arguing and quarrelling at shops to grab items on priority basis. Even traders charged higher prices for potato, onion and other eatables at several locations in Patna.
Mahesh Kumar, one of the shopkeepers on Ashiana-Digha road, locked the grill of his shop in order to maintain distance from customers.He said there was no other way to deal with the situation. “With closed gates, I was able to maintain a distance from customers. They hardly listened even after repeated requests,” he said, adding that it also helped him to work with ease amid chaos outside.
Another shopkeeper said those who generally purchase two litres of mustard oil for cooking took away five litres instead. “No one is ready to understand that shops like ours will remain open even in the lockdown,” he said.
Aafaque Akhtar of a drugstore said most of the medicines of common use were sold within an hour or so. “Supply is also not coming properly at present. People are reaching even our house for medicines. If stock gets replenished then we will continue to open shop, otherwise will keep it shut,” he added.
Another drugstore employee Rajeev Kumar said baby foods, general antibiotics, medicines for upset stomach and acidity, disinfectants, masks, sanitizers and few others had been purchased by people in bulk.