Section 144 imposed in Punjab
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, August 21
With the rate of Covid-positive cases rising to 8.5 per cent and mortality rate touching 2.5 per cent, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today ordered imposition of Section 144 to prohibit all gatherings of more than five persons, other than in marriages and bhog ceremonies. He warned of strict action against the organisers of such gatherings.
Return to work: CM to employees
Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh appealed to striking employees of Group C & D of the secretariat and districts to return to work, saying the government was trying to fulfil their pending demands despite the fiscal crisis in the state.
The orders come a day after the CM announced a fresh set of lockdown restrictions in the state till August 31. Making it clear that he would not hesitate to take harsh steps to save lives, he warned of even more stringent measures after August 31, if needed.
Wants Haryana to cooperate on SYL
The Chief Minister expressed hope that Haryana would see Punjab’s viewpoint on the issue of SYL, given the latter’s critical groundwater situation. Haryana already had more water than Punjab and would get additional 1 MAF of water through the canal project, he added.
Appealing to all political parties to avoid any gatherings, including protests, Capt Amarinder said the organisers, who were putting people’s lives at risk, would be arrested.
Noting that the state was headed towards a peak, he said by September 3, the cases in Punjab were projected to go up to 64,000 and cross the one-lakh mark by September 15. Deaths would also increase, with experts estimating over 1,500 casualties by September 3, he warned. “We don’t have to let Punjab go the America way,” the CM added.
