Motorists using masks to avoid smoke from farm fires booked

Balwant Garg

Tribune News Service

Faridkot, October 26

With thick smoke emanating from nearby fields engulfing the area, people here have begun using masks, including scarves, to cover their face. But those riding two-wheelers are facing a tough time with the police initiating penal action against those covering faces while driving.

In one such case, the Kotkapura police filed a criminal case against bike riders Sukhjit Singh and Jaswant Singh of Rode village under Section 144 of the CrPC. The police said they had violated orders prohibiting covering of face during driving. But the “accused” insisted they had done so only for protection from pollution. 

In the past week, pollution in the region has risen above the safety level, forcing motorists to use masks for safety. There has been a rise in the demand for masks at chemist shops that cover the nose, mouth and chin. “The police are taking action against the violators. But those with allergies or suffering from some ailment are exempted,” said a senior police officer. 

Residents point out that there are prohibitory orders under Section 144 against stubble-burning too, but no action is being taken against the violators. “It is discriminatory use of law,” argued shopkeeper Tarsem Lal.

Satellite images on Friday showed 60 active farm fires in 38 villages of Faridkot district — 56  in Faridkot block, three in Kotkapura and one in Jaito. Alarmed at increasing stubble-burning cases, the district administration has asked the Revenue Department to make “red circle” entries in the land record of erring farmers.