Kanpur police respond to chaotic crowd after ₹16 flash sale at Alam Market

Kanpur: A ₹16 flash sale at a garment shop in Kanpur's Alam Market turned chaotic after a social media announcement promising clothes for just ₹16 for 16 minutes drew a massive crowd to the market on Saturday night.The offer, reportedly announced to mark the birthday of shopkeeper Rais Alam, went viral through social media reels, prompting large numbers of people to rush to the market in the hope of purchasing garments at the heavily discounted price.₹16 For 16 Minutes Draws Massive CrowdAccording to the information available, the flash sale included garments such as jeans, shirts, T-shirts, blazers and other fashion items, with each item reportedly priced at just ₹16 for a limited period of 16 minutes.In Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, garment shopkeeper Rais Alam marked his birthday with a flash sale offering every item for ₹16 for just 16 minutes. The announcement drew a massive crowd and triggered a law-and-order situation. pic.twitter.com/jK1nIBZPf7— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) August 16, 2026 As word of the offer spread online, people began arriving at Alam Market in large numbers. The crowd continued to swell as shoppers raced against the clock to take advantage of the short-duration offer.Women and other shoppers were also seen gathering around the shop and nearby areas, eventually making movement through the market difficult.Situation Turns Chaotic As Crowd SurgesThe sudden influx of people soon created a chaotic situation in the market. The limited duration of the offer added to the rush, with people jostling to reach the shop and secure the discounted garments.Visuals from the spot showed a densely packed market street, with people rushing through the area while vehicles struggled to navigate the crowd. The situation reportedly took on a stampede-like appearance as the gathering grew.https://t.co/qTgtENkFsR— POLICE COMMISSIONERATE KANPUR NAGAR (@kanpurnagarpol) August 16, 2026 Police Reach Spot, Take Crowd Control MeasuresAs the situation worsened, police from multiple stations were deployed to the area. Officers used public announcements and other crowd-control measures to disperse people and restore normal movement in the market.Police personnel also carried out videography of the gathering to document the situation. People at the spot were asked to leave the area and return home as authorities attempted to bring the situation under control.FIR Registered Against Shopkeeper, OthersPolice have registered an FIR in connection with the incident and initiated action against the organisers.The case has reportedly been registered against Mohammad Alam, Rais Alam, Salman Alam and others on allegations including disturbing public peace and endangering lives. Additional police personnel were brought in to disperse the gathering.VIDEO: Choas Erupts At Kanwar Yatra As Elephants Enter Procession In Dehradun According to reports, the shopkeeper's brother was also detained for questioning.While the ₹16-for-16-minutes offer attracted a huge response, the sudden gathering raised serious concerns over crowd management, public safety and traffic movement in the market.Further details regarding the exact terms of the sale and action against those involved are awaited as the police investigation continues.

In Kanpur, a shopkeeper sparked excitement with a flash sale, offering clothing items at just sixteen rupees. The buzz spread quickly through social media, leading to a huge influx of shoppers at Alam Market. However, the overwhelming crowd prompted police intervention to restore order. Following the incident, a case was registered against the shopkeeper, and one individual was taken into custody for safety precautions.