The demonitisation gave birth to rumours abuzz on the social media that virtually created chaos in the national Capital. The rumours circulated even as Delhi Police officials urged people not to spread or come under their influence and said action would be taken against defaulters.
In Chandni Chowk, owing to large crowds outside ATMs, a rumour spread about a stampede in which allegedly four people were injured. However, senior police officers from the district calmed the situation.
“There is no stampede outside any #Bank or #ATM in #ChandniChowk. Please don’t spread or come under the influence of any #Rumour! We will also be taking cognizance of all social media accounts which are spreading #Rumours !! It’s an offence under section 505 of IPC. (sic),” said DCP(North) Madhur Verma in a series of tweets.
“Don’t believe in #rumours! Situation is peaceful and people are cooperating. #CashRush #Bealert. Appeal to all to maintain peace and law and order when waiting in line at Bank! #Bealert #Besafe #CashRush #Alliswell,” tweeted Esha Pandey, additional DCP-I (North).
The weekend saw even more rush outside bank branches and ATMs with cash-strapped people struggling to buy daily items even as Delhi Police deployed more forces to maintain calm. To manage anxious crowds, as many as 3,400 personnel of paramilitary and Delhi Police along with 200 quick reaction teams have been deployed at ATMs and banks across the national Capital.
On the second consecutive day people queued outside ATMs to exchange their high denomination currency. Security has been beefed up outside banks and ATMs and along with the district police, paramilitary personnel have also been deployed. At some places, RAF jawans are also deployed to keep the situation under control. It was a busy day today for the Delhi Police which attended to around 3,000 calls from anxious people who stood in queues to withdraw money from ATMs with Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes no longer considered legal tender.
“The crowd is more since it’s a weekend and many people have an off today. The crowd is swelling by the hour,” said a senior police officer.
“Many of the complaints were regarding ATMs running out of cash or remaining offline today. There were calls about long queues or violence. When we reached the spot, we found that the caller or the bank staffer had panicked and made the call. There were no reports of any untoward incident from anywhere,” the official said.
The entire process of exchanging notes turned chaotic and confusing as facilities like banks and post offices wilted under pressure. Many ATMs ran out of cash within hours of opening due to heavy rush to withdraw lower denomination currency.
Meanwhile, there were rumours of a loot from a mall in Seelumpur. DCP, north-East district, AK Singla said, “Reports of miscreants taking away stocks from a mall in Seelumpur area are false and baseless . It is a self catering mall which allows entry to card holders only and routine disbursal of stocks was being done. Some mischievous elements tried to show it as looting. local police intervened immediately and removed the miscreants,”