Guwahati: On Monday after the government had allowed standalone grocery shops to be opened, Guwahatians were seen rushing to the shops all across the city to fetch the basic food items that were needed.

With the lockdown being imposed in Guwahati since June 28, people have been locked their houses with a limited amount of ration. Some people who were fortunate enough had stacked up all the needed ration while many people basically, the poorer sections had failed to stack up the needed rations due to various reasons. One of the major reasons behind this was the sudden hike in the prices of the commodities.

However, to control the price hike situation, the administration had issued a notice fixing prices of the retain/consumer vegetables in the market. The administration had further stated that if any shops were found to be hoarding or trying to create any artificial shortage of commodities, strict penal actions would be taken against them.

With these, people flocked to the shops to gather whatever commodity they could. The administration had further directed the people to move out on foot to shop for groceries and restricted the use of motor vehicles for the purpose but some people had violated the rule and they eventually ventured out on their motor vehicles to far flung areas.

In some areas it was complained that the prices were being hiked again while in some areas some shopkeepers were engaged in illegal sale of meat items.

The police have taken strict actions against such violators detaining several vehicles as well as persons. A police source said that the persons violating the norm will also be arrested and will be penalize for disobeying the directions of the administration.