Kozhikode, 08 March (H.S.):A promotional offer promising shoes for just ₹1 led to chaos outside a footwear shop in Kozhikode on Sunday, forcing police to intervene and disperse a large crowd that had gathered since the early hours of the morning.

The incident occurred in front of a store named Trend Factory, which had advertised the unusual offer through social media platforms. According to the advertisement, customers who arrived at the shop during its reopening would be able to purchase shoes for just ₹1, provided they brought a one-rupee coin or note.

The announcement quickly went viral online and attracted a large number of young people and students. Many of them began gathering outside the shop as early as 3 a.m., hoping to take advantage of the offer when the store opened.

However, the heavy rush soon resulted in overcrowding and confusion. By morning, hundreds of people had assembled in front of the shop, leading to a tense situation as the crowd attempted to enter the premises to claim the discounted footwear.

According to several youngsters who had come to the shop, they had seen the advertisement two days earlier and arrived before dawn to secure the offer. However, they alleged that by the time they reached the shop, the shoes meant for the promotion had already been distributed.

Some of them also complained that the shop had initially indicated that the offer would begin at 10 a.m., but the distribution appeared to have started earlier. This, they said, led to frustration among those who had waited for hours in the queue.

As the crowd refused to disperse and the situation threatened to spiral out of control, police personnel arrived at the scene. Officers attempted to persuade the gathered youths to leave the area, but when the crowd continued to protest and raise slogans, the police resorted to a mild lathi-charge to disperse them.

Following the disturbance, the shop owners were taken into custody by the police for questioning. Authorities also directed the shop to remain closed for the day, and a notice announcing that the store would not open was placed outside the premises.

The sudden closure further angered some of the youngsters, who raised slogans against the police and the shop management. Police teams remained at the location to control the situation and prevent further unrest, while efforts continued to disperse the remaining crowd gathered near the shop.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman