Amid escalating tensions along the India-Pakistan border following Operation Sindoor, authorities in Punjab’s Gurdaspur ordered a district-wide blackout starting Thursday night. Meanwhile, the deputy commissioners of Amritsar and Tarn Taran announced a complete ban on the use of fireworks in the districts.
The deputy commissioner of Gurdaspur issued an order on Thursday, saying that a blackout will be held in the district from 9 pm to 5 am, starting tonight, until further orders. However, no blackout will be conducted in cantonment zones or military areas.
Sakshi Sahni, the deputy commissioner of Amritsar, announced a complete ban on the use of fireworks — including aerial crackers and Chinese firecrackers — during weddings, celebrations, and religious events within the district.
This measure, enacted under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, is intended to prevent public panic and maintain law and order. The ban will remain in effect until further notice, the order said.
To curb hoarding and black marketing of essential items such as food, petrol, diesel, fodder, and other daily necessities, Sahni formed a special task force and also released helpline numbers for public assistance.
The task force will be led by the district food supply controller and the district mandi officer, who have been directed to take strict action to prevent black marketing, hoarding, and artificial shortage of goods in the district.
As per the issued guidelines, this team will conduct inspections and take immediate action against any individual or institution found involved in unethical trade practices. Sahni stated that uninterrupted access to essential items at fair prices will be ensured, especially for the vulnerable sections of society.
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She further clarified that no individual, trader, or organisation will be allowed to hoard essential goods such as grains and related items, fodder, milk and dairy products, petrol, diesel, and other fuels. Any violation in this regard will be dealt with strictly, the order said.
The deputy commissioner assured that there is no shortage of essential items and appealed to the public not to panic or resort to hoarding, and gave assurance that the administration is fully prepared to maintain supply stability across the district.
Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner of Tarn Taran issued orders for all government, aided, and private schools in the district to remain closed from May 8 to May 11. This decision has been made to ensure the safety of the children, the order said.
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