Mock drill : Jalandhar Cantt residents observe one-hour blackout

Following an announcement by the Army for conducting a one-hour mock drill of blackout, almost a complete adherence was observed in Jalandhar Cantonment from 8 pm to 9 pm on this evening.

All shopkeepers had started pulling down their shutters by 7.45 pm and began leaving for their places. By 8 pm, all streets had gone dark even as no siren was blared. Streetlights were switched off. Residents kept all lights off. There, however, some movement of vehicles seen on the main roads.

The Army vehicles kept shuttling in the market. Brig Sunil Kumar Sohal took rounds in the market areas and urged all passersby to huddle to corners under some shed or along the walls. He told them not to panic as it was just a practice exercise that the Army was getting conducted. As the blackout happened, Army choppers kept taking round in the area as a part of the security drill.

Announcements were made in open jeeps using public address system. Some BJP activists were seen asking the vehicle owners to stop for a while or keep their lights off even if they had to move in emergency. Vipan Lahoria, one such activist, said, “Most houses in 32 mohallas of the cantonment area have inverters and generators but still no one had kept the light on. We are happy that they are following the Army orders. We believe that this participation in the preparedness exercise is a kind of a tribute to the 26 innocent tourists killed in Pahalgam two weeks back.”

Shopkeepers in the Sadar Market said, “The call for blackout was made by Army officials this morning. They came to the market and announced that we have to shut shops and reach home before 8 pm. We assured them of total compliance. They also told us that if they had any tenant whose ID is not registered with the police, it should be immediately done or else the house owner would face consequences. They had told us to keep an eye on any unscrupulous element in the area and keep the police informed. We have also been warned against sharing any pictures or details of any sensitive areas or installations with anyone to avoid action.”

In some localities, men and women came out of their places to discuss the situation. The residents said they knew that it was just a drill and there was no panic-like situation being felt. “We are not going for any panic buying or stocking up of groceries”, said Shilpa, a resident.

Elderly residents said they saw blackout today after the 1971 war.

Even as blackout was observed only in the cantonment area, a complete blackout would be observed in the city and Cantt areas tomorrow from 8 pm to 9 pm, said Deputy Commissioner Dr Himanshu Aggarwal. He said a siren would be heard after which all lights have to be shut.

Meanwhile, Hoshiarpur DC Ashika Jain said in view of the instructions from the Government of India, a mock drill is being conducted on Wednesday to deal with any emergency situation, under which a siren will sound off at 7 pm, which will symbolise the notification of an air strike.

Jalandhar