Leave cancelled, schools shut

People from various villages along the India-Pakistan border collect food at a temporary shelter on the outskirts of Jammu on Thursday. Pic: PTI

Chandigarh/Jaipur: Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, many states have announced the closure of schools, blackouts in border districts, and cancellation of leave of police personnel and administration officials.

The stringent measures were taken by Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and West Bengal after India struck terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam massacre that killed 26 people.

Punjab shares a 532-km border with Pakistan, Rajasthan about 1,070 km and Gujarat around 506 km. West Bengal shares a 2,217-km border with Bangladesh.

In Punjab, the leave of all police personnel has been cancelled while the state government has shut schools in six border districts, officials said on Thursday.

"Leaves should be granted only in special circumstances with the approval of the competent authority," an order issued by the DGP's office said.

All schools in six border districts of Punjab -- Ferozepur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran -- have been shut until further orders.

In Gurdaspur, there will be an eight-hour blackout starting at 9 pm on Thursday, said officials.

"Punjab shares a 532-km border with Pakistan. Therefore, the role of the Punjab government becomes extremely crucial during any military tension. All districts near the border have been placed on high alert," Punjab minister Aman Arora said on Wednesday

In neighbouring Haryana, the leave of state police personnel and those working in the health department has been cancelled till further orders.

According to a communication to the civil surgeons of all the districts across Haryana, it has been mentioned that all officials will have to remain present at their current places of posting and shall not leave the district headquarters.

In Himachal Pradesh, which also shares a border with Punjab, security has been beefed up in bordering districts, including Hamirpur, Una and Bilaspur.

With famous temples like Baba Balak Nath, Maa Chintpurni and Maa Naina Devi located in Hamirpur, Una, and Bilaspur districts, police have intensified security checks there, an official said.

The Rajasthan government too has cancelled leave of administrative and police personnel deployed near the International Border and closed schools in five bordering districts.

A blackout has been instituted in these areas from midnight to 4 am on Friday till further notice as a safeguard against the possible threat of air strikes.

Government and private schools have been closed in Sri Ganganagar, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Barmer districts as a precautionary measure, officials said on Thursday.

All Jodhpur colleges were also ordered to remain closed.