Don’t let your guard down, Faridkot panchayats told

The Faridkot district administration has directed all village panchayats to stay alert and enforce night vigil despite the announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.

The safety measure, called Thikri Pehra, is a time-tested system of community night patrol under the Punjab Small Town Patrol Act, 1918. The colonial-era Act empowers local residents to safeguard their own settlements.

The administration has instructed villagers to patrol from 7 pm to 5 am, ensuring that no unlawful gatherings take place and blackout protocols are strictly followed.

“Thikri Pehra is not only a security measure, but also a way to instil a sense of shared responsibility in the community,” said a senior official of the District Development and Panchayats Office.

Panchayat secretaries have been asked to form patrolling committees and submit daily activity reports to district authorities.

Traditionally, Thikri Pehras have been enforced to guard villages against thefts, robberies and external threats.

The self-policing system was established when police resources in rural areas were scarce. Villagers would take turns guarding entry points and patrol the streets in the night.

With border tensions simmering, district officials believe this mix of traditional vigilance and structured emergency planning would play a crucial role in ensuring public safety, coordination and social harmony at the grassroots level.