Amritsar | May 9, 2025 – Amid rising tensions along the India-Pakistan border, the Punjab government has taken sweeping precautionary measures by shutting down all educational institutions across the state for the next three days and cancelling all police leaves.
The decision follows escalated cross-border hostilities after Indian armed forces conducted strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22 Pahalgam massacre. Pakistan retaliated with heavy shelling along the Line of Control (LoC), targeting areas like Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, and Rajouri, resulting in the death of 16 civilians.
Security Measures and Statewide Alert
In response, Punjab has heightened its state of alert:
- All schools, colleges, and universities (government, private, and aided) across the state are closed for three days.
- Leaves of all Punjab Police personnel have been cancelled with immediate effect from May 7, except under special approval.
- Control rooms and helplines have been set up for public assistance.
In neighboring Chandigarh, which serves as the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, authorities have also closed all schools till Saturday. Panjab University has postponed its exams scheduled for May 9, 10, and 12, with new dates to be announced later.
District-Level Restrictions and Blackout Orders
Border districts such as Tarn Taran, Fazilka, and Gurdaspur are under heightened restrictions:
- Bursting of firecrackers at weddings and social events has been banned.
- An eight-hour blackout from 9 PM onwards has been ordered in Gurdaspur, and will continue until further notice.
- Ceremonial retreat ceremonies at Attari, Hussainiwala, and Sadki have been suspended by the Border Security Force (BSF).
Action Against Hoarding and Public Reassurance
As panic buying gripped certain areas:
- Authorities in Amritsar, Gurdaspur, and Ludhiana have cracked down on hoarding and black marketing of essentials like food, fuel, and medicines.
- The public has been advised against panic buying, with officials assuring that there is no shortage of essential supplies.
- Task forces have been deployed to monitor and control any artificial price hikes or supply disruptions.
Public Safety and Preparedness
Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar urged citizens to report any suspicious activity or objects. Quick response teams have been deployed to ensure civilian safety.
Punjab Minister Aman Arora emphasized the critical role of the state during military tensions. "All public events have been cancelled, and the Punjab Police is ready as the second line of defence, fully prepared to assist the army in any confrontation," he said.
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