Amritsar:
The Punjab government on Thursday ordered the shutdown of all educational institutions for the next three days and canceled the leaves of all police personnel amidst increasing tension along the India-Pakistan border.
As a precautionary measure, district officials in Taran Taran and Fazilka banned the bursting of firecrackers during weddings and other incidents. The Punjab government has set up a control room for the convenience of the people.
In the center area of ​​Chandigarh, the common capital of Punjab and Haryana, officials announced the closure of all schools by Saturday.
This came when the Indian armed forces extended the terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan captured Kashmir on 22 April in response to the Pahgam massacre.
Pakistan increased the intensity of its unprotected firing on the line of control using mortar and heavy caliber artillery in Jammu and Kashmir in Kupwala, Baramulla, Uri, Ponch, Memhar and Rajouri regions, which killed 16 people.
Late Thursday night, the Ministry of Defense said that India rapidly thwarted efforts to hit various major establishments of Pakistan, including military stations in Jammu, Pathankot and Udampur with drones and missiles.
Punjab shared a 532-km border with Pakistan.
In an order by the Director General of Police, the Director General of Police, said, “In view of administrative reasons, the leaves of all officers/employees of Punjab Police have been canceled from 7 May.” “Leaves should be given only under special circumstances with the approval of the competent authority,” he said.
Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said in a post on X, “In view of the situation to be developed, it is ordered that all schools, colleges and universities – government, private and aided – will remain completely closed for the next three days across Punjab.” Officials said that all educational institutions in Panchkula in Haryana would remain closed on Friday and Saturday.
Meanwhile, Punjab University in Chandigarh has postponed the scheduled examination for May 9, 10 and 12. The new dates will be announced later, the university said in a statement.
Several district officials in Punjab warned of strict action against those who were in rough and black market of essential commodities such as food products, milk, dairy products, fodder and fuel.
Amritsar district administration formed a task force to prevent any hoardings or black marketing of essential commodities.
Officials said that there was no shortage of essential items like oil, cooking gas, medicines and animal fodder in the district and advised people to buy terror. Similar instructions were shared by other district officials.
Gurdaspur district administration said that it has come in its notice that some stockists were hoarding essential commodities, which were affecting the general public due to artificial price hike and lack of supply.
In Ludhiana, the district administration asked Food and Civil Supplies Officers to take strict action against the hoarders.
On Wednesday, many people in Amritsar queued up at grocery stores and departmental stores to buy daily consumables in bulk.
Eight -hour blackout from 9 pm has been ordered in Gurdaspur, one of the six border districts from Thursday. This will continue till further orders.
The Border Security Force (BSF) said that along with the Pakistan border in Punjab, all three check posts – Attari, Hussainula and Sadki – all three check posts will not have any formal retreat ceremonies.
Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar appealed to the people whether they notice any suspicious person or unclaimed item. He said that police squads and quick response teams have been deputed for the safety of the people.
The district administration also released a helpline number for the people in emergency situations.
Punjab Minister Aman Arora said on Wednesday, “The role of the Punjab government becomes extremely important during any military tension. All the districts near the border have been kept on high alert. The government has also canceled all public programs in view of the prevailing situation.”
“The Punjab Police is also fully prepared as the second line of defense. It will join the army in every battle to give a crushed reaction to any Pakistani attack,” he said.
(Except for the headline, the story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is published by a syndicated feed.)
