Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has directed the police to remain on high alert for the Diwali celebrations in the light of the recent attempts by hardliners, backed by inimical forces from across the border, to foment trouble in the state.The Chief Minister was reviewing the Law & Order and Security situation in the state at a high-level meeting, attended by CPSCM Suresh Kumar, DGP Suresh Arora and DGP Intelligence Dinkar Gupta, among others.The DGP shared details of the inputs and developments concerning the state, received from various sources. He also briefed the Chief Minister about the busting of the terrorist module of the Ansar Ghazwat Ul Hind (AGH) module by the Punjab Police on 3rd/4th November.Captain Amarinder Singh directed the officials to ensure fool-proof security at all vital installations and other key places, such as crowded markets, etc. He asked the DGP to pull out all men for maintaining the highest level of security during the celebrations.The Chief Minister further ordered the DGP to crack down on, and to take immediate action against, anyone found trying to create trouble in any way. It was the responsibility of the police to ensure safe Diwali for the people of Punjab, he added.
Meanwhile, on the Chief Minister’s directives, the Home department has issued detailed guidelines for District Magistrates to prevent any untoward incident arising out of the sale or bursting of crackers during Diwali celebrations.The DMs have been asked to exercise powers under Explosive Rules, 2008 in a fair and judicious manner, said an official spokesperson, adding that as per as per these guidelines, crackers would be sold between 10.00 AM to 7.30 PM till November 7, 2018. Temporary licences would be issued by the District Magistrate (DM) as per the directions of the High Court i.e. upto 20% of the total number of temporary licences issued in the year 2016, and the grant of issuance of temporary licenses shall be on the basis of draw of lots to be held by the concerned Deputy Commissioners (DCs) themselves, and their power shall not be delegated to anybody else under any circumstances.Safety provisions will be ensured near the areas designated for sale of crackers and no sale would be allowed along/near the National highways, State Highways, Railway lines/tracks and crowded area, as per the guidelines issued to DMs.The Chief Minister has appealed to the people to celebrate green Diwali this year, thus making the state clean and free from air and noise pollution and also saving on wasteful expenditure.