There was panic buying of salt in four Bihar districts following rumours which led to the arrest of three persons and left the State Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Shyam Rajak blaming Opposition BJP for it.
“An unsubstantiated rumour has spread in Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, Samastipur and Madhubani districts about shortage of salt in the market due to reduced supply of the commodity from Gujarat prompting the consumers to panic and buy it for Rs70 per kg at some places,” he told reporters at a hurriedly convened Press conference.
Three persons were arrested for spreading rumours about shortage of salt after he directed officials of the affected districts to probe the situation and crack down on the hoarders, Rajak said.