Resident of villages in 10 km of the Indo-Pak border move to safer places in wake of the surgical strike on Thursday afternoon
Chandigarh, September 29, 2016
The Punjab government has intensified the process to shift over 2 lakh residents of 1000 villages located along the international border following directions of the union government in wake of the surgical strikes.A majority of the villages were evacuated with the assistance of Police, NDRF, and jawans of other paramilitary forces.
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal held an emergency meeting of the cabinet on Thursday evening to review the post strike situation in the border belt.
After the meeting Badal also addressed media persons and claimed that as per the Government of India’s advice, civilian population in six districts – Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Tarn Taran, Firezepure and Fazilka- within 10 kilometers of the international border is being moved to safer locations.
Badal further apprised the media that he had personally spoken to the Ministers and MLAs of these areas telephonically to be present in their areas and extend all necessary assistance to minimize the discomfort of civilian population.
As many as 60 villages in Fazilka, 300 in Ferozepur, 135 in Tarantaran, 137 in Amritsar, 290 villages in Gurdaspur and 65 villages in Pathankot have been affected. People were mostly moving to their relatives and friends besides the evacuation camps being set up in schools, community centers, marriage palaces and other premises, added Badal.
Arrangements have been made for their stay in gurdwaras and special camps and food. The healthcare institutions have been directed to run round the clock and leaves of all doctors and paramedical staff have been cancelled. The Punjab police jawans who were on leave have also been asked to join the duties.
Control rooms have been sent up at Chandigarh which would be continuously monitored DGP (Law and order) and Home Secretary, said Badal.
Addition district administrative officers have been deployed in all the six districts and directed that the evacuated persons may not face any problems.