Punjab on Maximum Alert, Villagers Near Border Evacuated

Punjab asked to immediately start evacuation of people residing in villages within 10 kms of International Border.

With six districts of Punjab sharing boundaries with Pakistan, the Centre has asked the state to evacuate people residing in villages within 10 kms radius of International Border in the wake of the "surgical strikes" carried out by India on terror launch pads across the LoC on Wednesday night.

The ceremonial beating retreat ceremony at Attari border has also been called off for public today, officials said. The schools along the border areas have also been asked to remain shut until further orders, they said.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has put the entire government and political machinery in an emergency mode, an official spokesperson said.

The Chief Minister has summoned an emergency Cabinet meeting in Chandigarh in the evening.

Sikander Singh Maluka, Punjab Cabinet Minister

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Badal over telephone on Thursday to request him to immediately start the process of evacuation of the people residing in the villages falling within 10 km of the border, the spokesperson said.

Badal has directed the Chief Secretary and the DGP to ask the concerned Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) to oversee the entire evacuation process in the border districts of Ferozepur, Fazilka, Amritsar, Taran Tarn, Gurdaspur and Pathankot.

The Chief Minister has directed the DCs to identify suitable locations for setting up camps and ensure that none of the residents being evacuated were put to any sort of inconvenience, the spokesman said.

Badal also personally spoke to the Cabinet Ministers and MLAs concerned to camp in these border districts and to keep close liaison with the district administration to ensure safe movement of residents.

The Chief Minister has also directed the Chief Secretary to immediately release Rs 1 crore each to all the Deputy Commissioners of six border districts to meet out any exigency.

The emergency meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister SK Sandhu, DGP Suresh Arora and Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Gaggandip Singh Brar.

Meanwhile, Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Varun Roojam said border residents in Amritsar district have been asked to remain vigilant and prepare for any eventuality.