New Delhi, May 9 -- Residents in border regions rushed out to buy essentials from food grains to biscuits, prompting Union food and consumer affairs minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday to urge the public to disregard what he called misleading messages about food stocks, adding that there are enough supplies available in the country.

Taking to social media platform X he also directed traders and businesses dealing with essential commodities to cooperate with law enforcement and warned that hoarding or stockpiling will be prosecuted under the Essential Commodities Act.

The minister's warning came as escalating tensions between India and Pakistan prompted residents in border towns in Jammu, Rajasthan and Punjab rushing to buy essential goods ...