Crowds throng markets and stores across the Nilgiris ahead of lockdown

More than 300 cases were registered against people for failing to wear masks and for not maintaining social distancing till Sunday afternoon

With a total lockdown set to come into force across the State from Monday, major towns in the Nilgiris district witnessed people thronging markets and commercial establishments on Sunday. Personal distancing norms were flouted with impunity as exasperated police personnel tried their best to enforce some semblance of order, as people flocked to shops and stores to purchase essential commodities before the lockdown. R. Jayanthi, who visited one of the major supermarkets in Udhagamandalam town, said that store shelves were almost empty by the time she went to purchase rice, pulses and eggs on Sunday afternoon. “People are panic buying in large quantities, and depriving others of commodities,” she said.