Chandigarh: The Punjab police on Thursday cancelled leave of all personnel and officials with immediate effect in the wake of escalating tension between India and Pakistan post May 7 ``Op Sindoor’’ executed by Indian armed forces targeting terror launch pads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK).
Punjab, which shares a 532-km border with Pakistan, has also been put on full alert with police issuing directions to tighten all security arrangements across the state.
According to information, leaves would be granted only in ``extraordinary’’ circumstances with the approval of the competent authority, an order issued by the director general of police (DGP), said.
Police force is required to maintain law and order, besides assisting the defence forces and also keep an eye on the rumour-mongering, hoardings and helping the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) in case of an eventuality. Police force is also required in maintaining liaison with the Border Security Force (BSF) to help civilians in the border districts.
Meanwhile, the state government has also ordered closure of schools – until further orders - in six border districts – Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Tarn Taran and Fazilka.
RESIDENTS START MOVING TO SAFER PLACES
Meanwhile, several residents of some villages located along the borders with Pakistan started to move to safer places, despite repeated advisories of the administration to villagers not to panic and that no order has yet been issued to evacuate the villages.
The villages where people, who held they apprehended ``war-like situation’’, were seen shifting with bundles of their valuables, food, clothes on their tractor-trolleys or bullock carts or other vehicles, to safer places including Tendiwala, Kaluwala, Gatti Rajo Ke, Jhugge Hazara, Navi Gatti Rajo Ke, Gatti Rahime Ke, Chandiwala, Basti Bhanewali and Jallo Ke.
However, while there were also many who held they had confidence in the Indian armed forces to defend the country, had thus decided to stay back, and there were villagers who moved their kids and women out and themselves decided to stay put until the government advised them to leave.
