In light of rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the Meghalaya government on Thursday urged the citizens to remain calm and avoid panic buying of essential goods.
The call for restraint came after reports surfaced of India conducting strikes on terror hideouts across the border, raising concerns of potential retaliation. These developments triggered a surge in purchases across parts of the state, particularly in Shillong, where store shelves were left half-empty by Wednesday night.
Food and Civil Supplies minister Comingone Ymbon addressed the issue, assuring the public that the state has sufficient stocks of essential commodities. “I appeal to everyone in the state not to panic,” he said.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and all districts have adequate supplies, including buffer stocks,” he added.
Ymbon said the government is prepared to act if the situation escalates further. “In case of any further developments, we will re-assess and take necessary action,” he added.
To prevent exploitation during this period, the government issued a stern warning to shopkeepers and traders against price inflation. “I request all shop owners not to hike prices. Our department’s price vigilance committee is actively monitoring the situation, and we also have a dashboard in place,” Ymbon said.
Officials from the Food and Civil Supplies Department echoed the minister’s statements, confirming that buffer stocks have been strategically distributed across districts. They also assured that vigilance teams are on the ground to curb hoarding and black-marketing.
Despite government assurances, residents continued to queue up at shops and supermarkets on Wednesday, driven by uncertainty over the geopolitical situation. Authorities reiterated that Meghalaya is not facing any shortage and urged people to act responsibly to avoid unnecessary strain on supply chains.
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