Cash-strapped customers allegedly loot ration shop in MP

Enraged over not getting ration from a fair price shop due to shortage of cash, people at Bardaha village here allegedly looted the ration shop.

Chhattarpur (MP), Nov 12 Enraged over not getting ration from a fair price shop due to shortage of cash after the Centre's demonestisation move, people at Bardaha village here allegedly looted groceries from the outlet in protest.

The shop owner Munni Lal Ahirwar has alleged in his complaint that the villagers looted foodgrains as they did not have cash to purchase it. The, police, however claimed that no such incident took place and it was only a minor scuffle.

Bardaha village Sarpanch None Lall alleged that the scuffle took place as Ahirwar was not giving foodgrains and other items since the last four months and the villagers had also complained to the Chief Minister Help Line and local police in this regard, but no action was taken. He denied reports of villagers looting the fair price shop.

The villagers were not getting ration from the shop since the past four months and yesterday they demanded the owner to give them their due for the full period but he refused leading to a dispute, Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Ram Kishore Tiwari said.

The owner asked the villagers to take ration for one month only, but they insisted on getting it for the entire four-month period following which they started protesting, he said.

Meanwhile, a purported video of the incident shows villagers taking away groceries from the shop. Police is investigating the matter, Tiwari said.

PTI