Essential goods and items running out of stock at shops amidst COVID-19
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 26 2020: Amidst the lockdown due to novel coronavirus outbreak, majority of the grocery shops and wholesalers in Imphal and Greater Imphal areas are running out of stocks.

Some of the shops have downed their shutters due to shortage of essential goods.

During visits to various shops in the areas, The Sangai Express found some shops closed and those still opening running out of stock facing imminent closing.

Talking to this reporter, Leishangthem Asha Kiran, who runs a retail shop, said her store is running out of most of the essential goods and items.

Some of the items have already been finished.

Essential goods and items running out of stock at shops amidst COVID-19

To meet the rising demand of the people, she is regulating sales of the items.

"I sold limited items per person to keep the stock for other buyers," she said asserting that the regulation would make the essential items available to more people.

"If the sales are not regulated, one would buy the whole shelves," she added.

The shop has run out of potatoes, edible oil and some grains, Maggies/noodles and some other packaged items, she said.

Contacting and arranging transport for replenishing the stock is becoming a major problem, she said adding she is not able to contact her suppliers.

Due to lockdown, she had brought in some stock at night recently.

Now the same who supplied the stock can not be reached, she asserted expressing concern that she would soon close the shop if she can't find any supplier.

Meanwhile, the same condition was witnessed at shops in Khurai, Keirao, Heirangoithong, Pebiya Pandit Leikai, Lamsang, Lamlai, Kyamgei, Bashikhong.

Due to the lockdown, many of the shops are opened for a short period during the day.

Almost all the shops are finding transportation difficulty due to the lockdown.

On the other hand, people who cam out to buy daily essential items have claimed that they find prices of some goods hiked due to the lockdown and short supply.

"Prices of some goods have been hiked at many of the shops plus we couldn't buy many of the items due to shortage," said a man who bought rice and potatoes.

When asked how she feels about the lockdown, Khetrimayum Jonah, a teacher said the lockdown is necessary to prevent spread of the virus.

Acknowledging the steps being taken up by the Government, she however, said the State should make the essential commodities available to the public at ease.

The Government must regulate and check the spike in prices of most of the daily essential commodities, she said.

Commenting on the shortage of drinking water amidst the lockdown, one Lenin from Heirangoithong said the Government and authorities concerned should take up measures to provide ample drinking water to the public.

He also urged all not to be hurdle in the way of the law enforcement agencies and those who are providing essential commodities.