Punjab To Activate Anti-Drone Tech In Border Districts, CM Bhagwant Mann Urges People Not To Panic
Amid heightened tensions along the India-Pakistan border, the Punjab government on Friday announced the deployment of anti-drone systems in border districts and deputation of Cabinet ministers in six sensitive districts, as part of an extensive security and preparedness review. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, which shares a 532-km-long border with Pakistan, has placed Ferozepur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, and Tarn Taran districts on high alert. At least 10 Cabinet ministers will now oversee the ground situation in these districts, according to an official statement.
Ministers Lal Chand Kataruchak and Ravjot Singh have been assigned to Pathankot and Gurdaspur respectively, Kuldeep Dhaliwal and Mohinder Bhagat to Amritsar, Laljit Bhullar and Harbhajan Singh to Tarn Taran, Hardeep Mundian and Gurmeet Singh Khudian to Ferozepur, and Baljit Kaur and Tarunpreet Sondh to Fazilka.
The Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, also approved the installation of anti-drone systems in collaboration with the Border Security Force (BSF), during a high-level meeting that covered 15 key agenda items ranging from internal security to agriculture and industrial policy.
In an effort to boost emergency response, the Cabinet decided to review preparedness in hospitals, fire stations, and the availability of essential supplies across Punjab.
Additionally, the state extended the Farishtey scheme—which rewards those who help road accident victims get medical aid—to include individuals who assist victims of terror attacks and cross-border assaults.
In his address, CM Mann urged residents to remain calm and not indulge in panic buying. “The Ministers in border areas and one more Minister deployed with them have to permanently make sure that black marketing is not happening in these areas. There is no need to worry about getting oil, queuing up at Petrol-Diesel pumps, or storing a lot of LPG cylinders,” he said, urging citizens to report overpricing or black marketing to Deputy Commissioners or government offices.
“If you feel that someone is selling you goods at a higher price or indulging in black marketing, report it to the Deputy Commissioner or any government office… There is no need to panic,” he said, as per ANI.
Another major decision was the extension of the Farishtey scheme—under which individuals transporting road accident victims to hospitals are rewarded. The state government has now expanded the scheme to include those who help victims of terrorist attacks and cross-border assaults by taking them to medical facilities.
Chandigarh Imposes Ban on Hoarding Essential Items
Meanwhile, in Chandigarh—the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana—the administration imposed a ban on hoarding of essential commodities under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. The order, issued by District Magistrate Nishant Kumar Yadav, is effective from 9 May to 7 July 2025.
The order prohibits unauthorised stockpiling of essential goods such as rice, wheat, pulses, sugar, edible oils, vegetables, milk products, medicines, petrol, and diesel. Traders must declare their stock to the Department of Food and Supplies within three days.
Residents can report any black marketing or hoarding at 0172-2703956.
In Chandigarh, all educational institutions were ordered shut till Saturday as a precaution after an air warning was received from the Air Force Station. Sirens were sounded and residents were advised to stay indoors. Hours later, the alert was lifted but citizens were still urged to remain cautious.
Separately, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) issued a clarification regarding a video circulating on social media claiming a drone attack in Jalandhar. The PIB’s fact-check unit found it to be a misrepresented video of a farm fire, not related to any drone incident.
With tensions escalating, Punjab Police personnel have had all their leaves cancelled, and a control room has been set up to assist the public. The helpline numbers are 0172-2741803 and 0172-2749901.
Reports have also emerged of villagers in Amritsar, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, and Tarn Taran near the International Border moving to safer locations, despite no official evacuation orders from the BSF, Indian Army, or local civil authorities.
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