J&K CM warns to refrain crowding petrol pumps
Ahead of participating in a meeting convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to review the preparedness and plans in the wake of the West Asia conflict, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, on Thursday, warned people to refrain from panicking or crowding petrol pumps, claiming that there is no shortage of fuel, LPG or essential commodities in the Union Territory.
“My earnest request is that people stop camping outside petrol pumps. If this situation continues, I may be forced to shut all petrol pumps for the next few days until this cycle of rumours stop,” he told reporters. Abdullah said unnecessary crowding at fuel stations, despite official assurances, would only worsen the situation. “If people keep gathering outside petrol pumps based on rumours, it will unnecessarily create problems where none exist,” he said, reacting to long queues outside petrol pumps.
On Pakistan positioning itself as a potential mediator in the US-Israel conflict with Iran, Abdullah said any effort that helps end the war should not be opposed.
“The prime minister has scheduled an online meeting tomorrow at 6.30 pm, in which I will also have the opportunity to participate. It will specifically discuss the situation in Iran and neighbouring regions and what additional steps are being taken to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential commodities, especially if the conflict continues,” Abdullah told reporters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact on Friday with the chief ministers of all states, barring those that are going to polls, to review their preparedness and plans in the wake of the West Asia conflict. Expressing concern over panic buying triggered by social media rumours, Abdullah said such behaviour could itself create artificial shortages. “It is regrettable that when the government speaks, no one listens, but everyone believes rumours,” he said.
