Milk selling for Rs 100 a litre, Rs 10 for an egg in riot-hit east Delhi

Rioting on the streets may have stopped in east Delhi’s Trilokpuri but hoarding of basic commodities sent prices skyrocketing on Sunday, adding to the misery of residents after violence broke out on Diwali evening.

Rioting on the streets may have stopped in east Delhi’s Trilokpuri but hoarding of basic commodities sent prices skyrocketing on Sunday, adding to the misery of residents after violence broke out on Diwali evening.

Prohibitory orders have been in place in the neighbourhood since Thursday following clashes between two communities. This has led to a rampant black market trade, with prices of essential items doubling overnight.

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Policemen carry out patrolling on a road strewn with brickbats in Trilokpuri. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT Photo)



"Eggs are selling for Rs 10 per piece, which usually costs us Rs 4," said Kiswas, a resident of Block 27. "A half-litre packet of milk worth Rs 24 is being sold for upto Rs 50," she added.

Read:Trilokpuri tense but no fresh clashes reported

The narrow bylanes are packed with over a thousand police and paramilitary personnel with an uneasy calm hanging over the neighbourhood. Taking advantage of the situation, small shops have downed shutters and are selling groceries through the back door.

The police have arrested about 40 people. Around 30 people have been injured in stone-pelting that began Thursday.

People fled their homes for the second straight day on Sunday as it became clear that prohibitory orders won’t be lifted anytime soon.

“People are running out of ration. With shops closed more than 100 people have left my area alone,” said Mohammed Ahmed, a resident of block 27.

In pics:Communal clashes hit east Delhi's Trilokpuri