CHANDIGARH, October 21: In order to ensure a full stop on stubble burning, Punjab Police jointly with Civil Administration has initiated a massive campaign to educate farmers about harmful effects of Stubble Burning and also taking legal action against those found putting matchstick to paddy straw, said Special Director General of Police (Spl DGP) Law and Order Arpit Shukla here on Monday.

DGP appointed Spl DGP Arpit Shukla as the Nodal Officer

Pertinently, complying with the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court and Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to bring down   burning cases to zero, DGP Gaurav Yadav had appointed Spl DGP Arpit Shukla as the Police Nodal Officer to monitor action against stubble burning.

The DGP Punjab has also been holding meetings with all the senior officers, Range Officers, CPs/SSPs and Station House Officers (SHOs) to personally review the cases of stubble burning in the state on day to day basis.

Spl DGP Arpit Shukla said that Police teams along with Civil Administration have been making untiring efforts at the ground level to curb the menace of stubble burning in the state.

Stubble Burning :  Officers conducting joint tours at villages

He stated that DCs/SSPs and SDMs/DSPs are conducting joint tours in villages identified as  burning hotspots and are holding public awareness meetings with various farmer and kisan unions at the district and sub-divisional levels.

In the last few days, DCs/SSPs made 522 joint tours, while SDMs/DSPs made 981 joint tours, during which they held 2,504 public awareness meetings and organized 2,457 meetings with farmer and kisan unions.

The Spl DGP mentioned that legal action will be initiated against those found burning stubble.

Satellites detected 1,393 farm fires in the state.

So far, satellites have detected 1,393 farm fires in the state, prompting the deployment of joint inspection teams to the locations. Police teams have registered FIRs in 874 cases, but they found no stubble burning at 471 spots. However, the concerned police stations have recorded daily diary report (DDR) entries for these 471 cases.

In addition to registering FIRs, authorities imposed penalties totaling RS 10.55 lakh in 397 cases and made red entries in the revenue records of 394 farmers.

Spl DGP exhorted farmers to cooperate

Spl DGP Arpit Shukla exhorted farmers to cooperate and not put matchstick on crop residue, which will not only lead to the deterioration of the environment but will also affect the health of children and elderly people.

Meanwhile, depending on the area and size of the police station, authorities have activated a sufficient number of additional patrolling parties, and flying squads have been keeping vigil on stubble burning.