173 FIRs filed in Sangrur district

Cops are doing their bit in controlling the cases of stubble burning in the district, which is a major problem these days. Besides initiating awareness measures, the Sangrur police have also registered 173 FIRs for farm fire.

The Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC) has recorded as many as 259 cases of farm fire between September 21 and October 30 this year in the district.

SSP Sartaj Singh Chahal said the police had registered 173 FIRs in farm fire cases. The police were investigating these cases to ascertain the actual number of stubble burning cases as the PRSC data included field fires other than stubble burning.

The subdivision-wise details of 173 FIRs in farm fire cases in the district revealed that 72 cases were registered in Moonak, 43 in Bhawanigarh, 21 in Dirba, 20 in Sunam, nine in Dhuri, five in Lehragagga and three in Sangrur.

Chahal said the police had been taking multiple steps to create awareness among farmers against stubble burning. These included awareness programmes by Police Saanjh Kendras, announcements on loudspeakers at religious places, joint tours with civil administration authorities and meetings with farmers and farmer unions, etc.

He and Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Rishi had also been jointly creating awareness among farmers by holding meetings in villages, he added.

The SSP said as many as 118 joint tours, 422 meetings with farmers and farmer unions besides 755 public awareness meetings and programmes had been organised in the district so far. Cops were also actively assisting staff of the Fire Department in extinguishing blaze in fields. Besides, patrolling teams from different police stations also remained active to check stubble burning and take immediate action, he added.

The DC has deployed 52 cluster officers of the civil administration in different subdivisions of the district. These officials are assisted by cops. Flying squads of 12 civil officers have been formed at the subdivision/block level. The police have deputed 12 chief officers with them.