Three persons were arrested for spreading rumours about shortage of salt.
There was panic buying of salt in four Bihar districts following rumours which led to the arrest of three persons. The state Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Shyam Rajak alleged that opposition BJP was behind this.
"An unsubstantiated rumour has spread in Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, Samastipur and Madhubani districts about shortage of salt in the market due to reduced supply of the commodity from Gujarat prompting the consumers to panic and buy it for Rs 70 per kg at some places," he told reporters at a hurriedly convened press conference.
Three persons were arrested for spreading rumours about shortage of salt after he directed officials of the affected districts to probe the situation and crack down on the hoarders, Mr Rajak said.
The arrested persons have been booked under provisions of Essential Commodities Act and were being interrogated by local police officers, Mr Rajak said.
The department officers made public announcements about abundant availability of salt in the market at prescribed rates and consumers stopped the panic buying, he said.
Mr Rajak lashed out at BJP for spreading the rumour to destabilise the JD(U) government in Bihar.
"The BJP and its affiliate organisations are proven masters of rumour mongering and the rumour about shortage of salt was no exception," he said and warned the opposition party of stern action if its involvement was proved.