Punjab on high alert evacuation of villages along LoC border begins

In the wake of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the surgical across the Line of Control (LoC) last night, villages along the International Border (IB) in Punjab are being evacuated following the directions of the Punjab government.

"As per the directions of Sub Divisional Magistrate, all villages within 10-km of the India-Pakistan border are being evacuated due to prevailing tensions and possibility of a war. As of now, there is no panic among people, who have been asked to carry their essential belongings," said tehsildar Taranjit Singh.

Earlier today, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal convened an emergency meeting and directed the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police 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.

He directed all the DCs to identify suitable location for setting up of camps and to ensure that none of the evacuated residents face any inconvenience or hardship. He also spoke to the Cabinet Ministers and MLAs concerned of the border districts to camp in their constituencies, and to keep close liaison with the district administration to ensure safe movement of residents of the villages within the close proximity of the International Border.

Badal also directed the chief secretary to immediately release Rs. 1 crore each to all Deputy Commissioners of the six border districts to meet any exigency arising out of the prevailing situation.