Cops, firemen, health officials on toes for safe & happy Diwali

PK Jaiswar & Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 13

At a time when people celebrate the festival of lights with their family and friends, personnel of the Punjab Police remain on roads. For them, the entire city is their family. Being a city of religious and historic importance located close to the India-Pakistan border, the policemen keep a strict vigil in every part of the city to ensure that no untoward incident mar the celebrations of its residents.

In view of the Covid-19 pandemic and the new instructions issued by the National Green Tribunal and the Punjab Government regarding the bursting of crackers, the policemen were directed to be extra cautious so that nobody dare flout laws.

“Our workload increases manifold during the festive season. But then there is nothing new about this. Owing to the pandemic this year, we have to remain extra alert to ensure safety or security of not only others but also ours,” said ASI Pawan Kumar, who is posted with the PCR wing and deputed in the Hall Gate area.

He said as he could not go home for celebrations, he would do the Diwali prayer through a video call on mobile with the family. “I have four brothers and all family members come to my house for celebrations,” said the ASI. Another cop Kashmir Singh said, “They have to attend calls and reach the spot immediately where they are asked to. During the festival season, traffic chaos is another major problem and we also assist in managing traffic.”

Police Commissioner Dr Sukhchain Singh Gill said all police officials had been asked to remain present on roads. Security had already been beefed up and nakas installed at every entry and exit points of the city, he added.

Besides cops, health officials also remain on duty to tackle emergencies. Dr Charanjit Singh, Senior Medical Officer, Civil Hospital, said outstation leave of staff had been cancelled and they were asked to remain present on call duty to deal with an emergency situation.

“We have adjusted the timings of the ophthalmologists and gynaecologists in such a way that these doctors would be available in the hospital round the clock,” he said.

As bursting crackers is an integral part of the Diwali festivities, the Fire Brigade Department is another wing that remains on toes. Diwali witnesses a number of fire instances and to save the life and property of people, firemen have to remain alert day and night.

The city Fire Brigade has 12 fire tenders to fight fire incidents. Considering narrow streets in the walled city, there are four small vehicles (jeeps) and two motorcycles. These vehicles are equipped with modern technology.

A large number of commercial buildings do not have fire safety equipment in the city. In such circumstances, the Fire Brigade officials have to stay alert on eve of and on Diwali.

Lovepreet Singh, Additional District Fire Officer, said, “The Fire Brigade is well prepared to deal with any untoward incident during the Diwali celebrations. All staff members of the fire station would be on duty. Though the government has allowed only two hours for bursting firecrackers, we will stay on duty all night. The residents should adopt safety measures while bursting firecrackers.”

Officials of the Fire Brigade claimed that “this year they have procured several new modern equipments under the Smart City project. Now the firemen would work more efficiently and douse any fire within no time.”