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Hindustan Times
08-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Rising India-Pak tensions trigger panic buying in Punjab
Following India's counter-terror strikes under Operation Sindoor, panic buying broke out in most parts of Punjab on Wednesday, with the border districts witnessing the most intense response. Rush at grocery shops in Amritsar following India's counter-terror strikes. (Sameer Sehgal/HT) Fearing possible escalation and retaliation, residents in the border districts scrambled to stock up on essentials, with anxiety also spreading to other districts in Doaba and Malwa, triggering similar scenes of hoarding and market rush. In Ferozepur and Fazilka, long queues were seen outside grocery shops, utility stores, pharmacies and petrol pumps, as people rushed to secure daily-use goods and fuel amid growing uncertainty. 'There's a lot of anxiety among the people. Everyone is worried about what might happen next,' said Vikas Mittal, a local petrol pump owner. He shared that fuel sales had tripled compared to normal, and demand for groceries, vegetables and medicines had surged. Pharmacies reported a spike in purchases of painkillers, diabetic medications and antibiotics, reflecting concerns about potential shortages in the coming days. Meanwhile, a joint security operation was launched at the Ferozepur Cantonment railway station to ensure public safety and prevent any untoward incidents. The operation, conducted in coordination with RPF personnel and the Anti-Sabotage Team, involved thorough inspections of key areas, including platforms, parking zones, the railway yard, parcel office, booking counters, and all incoming and outgoing trains. Passengers were also screened under strict security protocols. Authorities urged the public to remain calm and cooperate fully with security procedures. 'The situation is under control, and all necessary steps are being taken to ensure the safety of citizens,' assured Deepshikha Sharma, deputy commissioner-cum-district magistrate, Ferozepur. The ripple effect of panic reached the Doaba region as well—comprising Jalandhar, SBS Nagar, Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur—where residents made a beeline for vegetables, fruits, flour and milk at markets. Huge crowds were reported at grocery stores and wheat flour mills, and vegetable markets were emptied out within hours. 'We kept telling people not to panic, but they continued to stockpile vegetables,' said Tarsem Singh, a vendor in Jalandhar. Ravinder Singh, a local resident, expressed, 'Anything can happen in the coming days. So my family told me to buy groceries, vegetables and flour in bulk.' Similar scenes prevailed in Ludhiana also, with the Petrol Pump Dealers' Association reporting a 60% jump in petrol and diesel sales compared to typical days. Association chairman Ashok Sachdeva assured that there was no shortage of fuel, so people should avoid panic buying. Residents thronged markets to stockpile onions and potatoes, known for their longer shelf life. Gurwinder Singh, a commission agent (aarthiya), confirmed the uptick, citing increased demand for these vegetables. 'On average, Ludhiana consumes around 300 tonnes of onions and 250 tonnes of potatoes daily. But lately, we're seeing regular customers, who usually buy in small quantities, purchasing bulk supplies,' he said. (With inputs from Navrajdeep Singh and Tarsem Singh Deogan)
Hindustan Times
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Schools in Punjab border districts to remain closed
May 08, 2025 05:32 AM IST All schools in the border districts of Ferozepur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Amritsar and Gurdaspur were closed on Wednesday in the wake of tension along the border with Pakistan. Ferozepur deputy commissioner issued an order that all schools in the district will remain closed on Wednesday, officials said, adding that all schools in Pathankot will also remain shut for the next 72 hours. Students return home after schools closed, following the air strike by India on terrorists in Pakistan, in Amritsar on Wednesday. (Sameer Sehgal/Hindustan Times) Officials said schools have also been shut in Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Fazilka districts. This comes after the military strikes were carried out under 'Operation Sindoor', two weeks after the massacre of 26 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. Later in the evening, Ferozepur announced that schools in the district will remain closed for two days (Thursday & Friday), while in Fazilka, the administration has closed the schools closed till further orders. PTU defers sem exams Jalandhar IK Gujral Punjab Technical University has postponed its end-semester examinations due to unforeseen circumstances. University spokesperson stated that the exams to be held from May 8-10 have been deferred and from May 12 onwards, the examination will be conducted as per notified date sheet. The fresh date sheet will be notified shortly.
Hindustan Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Op Sindoor: Beating Retreat ceremonies at three border checkposts in Punjab cancelled
In the wake of the precision strikes at terror launch pads in Pakistan by Indian Armed forces, the Border Security Force (BSF) has cancelled the Beating Retreat ceremonies at Attari-Wagah, Hussainwala and Sadki in Punjab till further orders. Border Security Force (BSF) personnel pasting notice of cancellation of the beating retreat ceremony at Attari-Wagah Border, Amritsar on Wednesday. (Sameer Sehgal/HT) The BSF spokesperson said the decision was taken in light of the action taken by the Indian Armed forces against Pakistan. 'The Beating retreat ceremony would remain suspended on Wednesday. However, the decision on whether to resume the ceremony from Thursday onwards would be taken later after evaluating the security conditions,' the spokesperson said, adding that the daily lowering of the national flag at sunset will continue as usual. The Indian armed forces successfully executed 'Operation Sindoor' in the early hours of Wednesday, carrying out targeted strikes on nine 'terrorist infrastructure' sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack that left 26 civilians dead. The BSF has barricaded the roads leading to all three borders — Attari-Wagah in Amritsar, Hussainiwala in Ferozepur and Sadki in Fazilka—to restrict the movement of visitors. The BSF personnel also pasted the posters stating the cancellation of the Beating Retreat ceremony, besides returning the vehicles of the visitors who had come from different areas of the country to witness the ceremony. It may be mentioned that the ceremonial display by the BSF at the retreat ceremony along the India-Pakistan borders in Punjab was already scaled down on April 24 against the backdrop of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. As part of a 'calibrated decision', the BSF, which guards a 553-km long border with Pakistan as the first line of defence in Punjab, suspended the symbolic handshake of the Indian guard commander with the Pakistan counterpart and decided to close the border gates during the ceremony. However, it allowed the visitors to witness the ceremony and flag-lowering ceremony carried out every evening at Hussainiwala and Wagah border in Amritsar. Earlier, the ceremony remained suspended during the 2014 Wagah suicide bombing and post Pulwama attack on CRPF personnel in 2019. The beating retreat ceremony is a daily ritual, taking place since 1959, and is performed every evening before sunset, jointly by BSF and Pakistan Rangers. The drill involves synchronised stomps, high-kicks, and theatrical standoffs between soldiers, before culminating with a coordinated lowering of the flags and a handshake between commanders of both forces.
