In Punjab, 8,000 ‘paddy cops’ out to check field fires

To put an end to stubble burning in Punjab, the Bhagwant Mann-led government has deployed around 8,000 “Paddy Police” personnel, besides senior officers, across the state. These police personnel, who are being referred to as “Paddy Police”, make up for 612 flying squads or patrolling parties, which are monitored at multiple levels by their seniors, ranging from the rank of Inspector to Special Director General of Police.

“These squads are in addition to the patrolling parties or flying squads of other departments,” said DGP Gaurav Yadav.

The DGP said police teams had been sensitised to prevent any law and order problem too. “The heads of 28 police districts and commissionerates have been asked to supervise the hotspots. Besides 28 SPs, an equal number of DSPs are serving as nodal officers to check paddy stubble burning,” said Yadav.

So far this year, 193 farm fire incidents have been reported from the state, which is 75 per cent less than the number of fires recorded last year in the corresponding period. The reduction in cases this year can be attributed to preventive steps taken by the government as well as the delay in harvesting. Due to showers till September-end, paddy crop is not fit to be harvested in several areas.

Six FIRs have been lodged over farm fire incidents so far, according to the data released by the Punjab Pollution Control Board.