Chandigarh, May 8 - Punjab and Rajasthan (which share borders with the neighbouring country) are on full alert in view of the heightened tension between India and Pakistan. India's Punjab state shares a 532-km border with Pakistan, while the shared border in Rajasthan stretches for about 1,070 km.
In view of the tense atmosphere, Punjab Police has cancelled the holidays of all employees and officers with immediate effect. Police sources said that leave will be granted only in extremely urgent circumstances. The police force is essential to maintain law and order and support the defence forces.
Sources said that during this time, the police will keep a watch on rumour-mongering, hoarding, besides assisting the NDRF in case of any incident and will maintain contact with the BSF to help citizens in the border districts. Officials said on Thursday that the Punjab government has also closed schools in six border districts, including all schools in Ferozepur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran.
The order issued by the DGP office reads, “Holidays should be granted only in special circumstances with the approval of the competent authority.”
Meanwhile, in Rajasthan, all government and private schools have been closed in four border districts of Sri Ganganagar, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Barmer as a precautionary measure. Officials said that the administration of these four districts has made preparations for any emergency situation. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has directed the concerned officials to cancel the leaves of all police personnel in view of the rising tension after ‘Operation Sindoor’. Sources said that Chief Secretary Sudhansh Pant and DGP UR Sahu also chaired a review meeting with Divisional Commissioners, Collectors, IGPs and SPs, in which they were directed to be present at the respective headquarters.