LoC flare up triggers panic in Srinagar

Srinagar, May 7: Flaring up of situation on the LoC triggered massive panic in the summer capital with most of the people resorting to panic buying.

When Srinagarites woke up to the news of strikes by Indian Air Force in Pakistan, panic gripped in Srinagar city and its outskirts amid the fear of escalation.

Following the prevailing situation, several schools around Srinagar Airport were closed as a precautionary measure by the authorities, while the Indian Airforce also took control  of the airport.

“We woke up to these scary news. As we heard about the closure of schools and cancellation of exams, it caused panic,” said Altaf Ahmad, a local from Srinagar.

In Srinagar, despite thin traffic on roads, the petrol pumps witnessed massive rush of people. People were seen indulging in panic buying of petrol at various petrol pumps in Srinagar. At one of the petrol pump near Zoonimar Srinagar, long queues of commuters were seen buying petrol. People were also seen shocking essentials amid the fear.

“We don’t know where will the situation lead and that is why I thought of getting my vehicle filled with petrol. Everyone has patients and elderly at home and we might need vehicle at any time, that is why people are queuing at the petrol pump just to be sure,” said Adil Ahmad, a commuter.

In addition to rush in petrol pumps, the Srinagarites said that there was relatively more rush at banks. Greater Kashmir talked to many locals who said that they only went to bank for cash and other work fearing that banks might be closed temporarily.

“I had some bank related work and I preferred to finish it today as there is fear amongst people about the closure of banks. There was relatively more rush at ATMs too. We fear that we can't rely on online transactions given the prevailing situation. We hope for the best but precaution is a must,” said a local near J&K Bank, Hazratbal.

Amid the panic, the traffic on Srinagar roads was thin comparatively, and people were seen in panic mode. In every nook and corner of the roads, people in Srinagar were seen indulging in discussions about the prevailing situation. Many netizens also took to social media sharing views and regretting the loss of lives in Poonch and other areas following the cross border shelling amidst tension.

Meanwhile, as the marriage season is on peak in Srinagar and across Kashmir, many families are in panic and uncertainty amid the growing tension.

"The marriage of my son is in few days and given the situation we are unable to figure out how things will unfold. We hope that things will be back to normal and peace will prevail".