Police register 58 FIRs for stubble burning this season in Amritsar

In a crackdown on stubble burning, the district administration and police have intensified action against violators, registering as many as 58 FIRs against farmers found indulging in the illegal practice of crop residue burning during this season.

Officials said that multiple teams had been deployed across rural areas to monitor farm fires through ground surveillance and satellite imagery. The police have also been directed to take strict legal action against those found flouting government norms despite repeated appeals.

“We have registered as many as 58 FIRs this season. Instructions have been passed to the cops to keep watch on the violators while the district administration was also monitoring the situation,” said Maninder Singh, Amritsar (Rural) SSP.

A senior official from the Agriculture Department said that concerted awareness drives had been conducted in the past to encourage farmers to adopt eco-friendly residue management techniques. “We are appealing to the farmers to refrain from burning paddy stubble as it severely affects the air quality and public health,” the official added.

According to reports, Amritsar was close second after poll-bound Tarn Taran as far as cases of crop residue burning were concerned.

A Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) official pointed out that they, along with the district authorities, were keeping a close watch on hotspots reported through the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre and were coordinating with the local police to ensure prompt response and accountability.

The administration reiterated that zero tolerance would be shown towards offenders to ensure clean air and compliance with environmental regulations.