Security stepped up as people go Eid shopping

PATNA: Popular city markets in Sabzibagh and Patna City bustled with shoppers on Saturday in the run-up to Eid-ul-Fitr, which will be celebrated on Monday. Muslims were seen buying ‘seviyan’, groceries, dry fruits, skull caps, ‘tasbih’ (prayer beads), milk, ‘naan’ and ‘bakarkhani’.
The owner of a dry fruit shop near the Bankipore post office, Mohd Raju, claimed that the sale of his products had dipped this year due to the Covid-19 lockdown.“I expect that the sales will be higher tomorrow,” he told this newspaper.
Mohd Riza-ul, who runs a bakery in Sabzibagh, said, “The demand for ‘naan’ and ‘bakarkhani’ is high, but we do not have many workers to bake the breads. ‘Naan’ is available in the range of Rs 40 to Rs 150 whereas ‘bakarkhani’ is priced between Rs 25 and Rs 200.”
Amid heavy rush, many shopkeepers restricted the entry of shoppers into their stores. Even city residents pointed out that Eid celebrations would not be elaborate this time.
Alamganj resident, Mohd Shafi, said, “I only bought essential items, groceries and ‘seviyan’ because it is going to be a low-key affair.”
The few cloth shops, which had opened in Sabzibagh locality, were closed later. Pirbahore police station SHO Rizwan Khan claimed that cops made the owners shut their shops immediately.
51 magistrates deputed in Bhagalpur: Altogether 51 magistrates have been deputed in Bhagalpur, Kahalgaon and Naugachia sub-divisions to ensure that Eid is celebrated peacefully amid the Covid-19 lockdown. A large number of security personnel and cops in mufti have also been stationed in different localities of Bhagalpur district.
SSP Ashish Bharti told this newspaper, “We have directed the police officials and SHOs to ensure peaceful Eid celebrations.”
Meanwhile, religious heads have urged people to pray at home on Eid. Syed Zeejah Hussain, secretary of the Bhagalpur District Shia Waqf Committee, said, “We should strictly follow social distancing norms.”