An April Fools’ Day social media prank on liquor outlets opening for a day on Wednesday sent people in Karnataka’s Gadag town scurrying to a local shop in violation of social-distancing rules.

Police rushed to the spot and drove away the motley group of men, women, youths and senior citizens.

People from various corners of the town had queued up in front of the shop on Mulagund Road, unaware that it was an All Fools’ Day prank. Although the people had queued up in a disciplined manner, they ignored social-distancing norms and stood in close proximity to each other.

Requesting anonymity, a person who shot a video of the incident said: “The tipplers had been speculating that the shop would open on April 1. First, one person arrived in front of the shop. Soon others began to gather. A long queue was formed, but to no avail.”

He said those in the queue could be heard cursing the authorities for the lockdown because of which they were not getting liquor.

Gadag rural police personnel rushed to the spot and asked the people to disperse.

Liquor shops in Karnataka are shut ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the lockdown in order to prevent the pandemic from spreading further.

Incidents of alcoholics ending their lives apparently frustrated at not being able to get liquor during the lockdown have been reported in some of the southern states over the past few days.