Salt rumour subsides - 28 traders arrested

People queue up to buy salt from a shop in Darjeeling on Friday. Picture by Suman Tamang

TT, Nov. 15: At least 28 traders dealing in either retail or wholesale grocery items were arrested across north Bengal for overcharging panic-stricken customers who wanted to buy salt after hearing of its purported shortage.

The talk of market shortage of the kitchen essential turned out to be a rumour, which the district administration quelled in the morning through public announcements in six north Bengal districts.

Raids were also conducted in markets and godowns to prevent hoarding of salt, which was being sold at Rs 30-60 a kg last night.

“There is no shortage in the stock of salt across north Bengal. The rumour has been spread in a premeditated manner with wrong intention. We have serious doubts that some political parties are behind it and tried to create fresh tension among common people and pose new trouble for the state government,” north Bengal development minister Gautam Deb said today.

“We have sufficient stock of salt and we urge people not to pay even a rupee extra to buy salt. Those selling salt should keep in mind that we are monitoring the entire situation and that any plan to hoard salt or sell it at higher prices would lead to arrests.”

The 28 trader were arrested in different districts of north Bengal. “They were either hoarding salt, or spreading the rumour or selling salt at higher prices,” Deb said.

According to administrative sources, 11 such shopkeepers were arrested in Darjeeling, while two each were picked up from Kalimpong and Phansidewa. The others were arrested from Malda, North Dinajpur, Cooch Behar and South Dinajpur.

“Our officers are visiting marketplaces and keeping a close watch on grocery shops. People should shun the rumour and must not panic,” Kunal Agarwal, the superintendent of police of Darjeeling, said.