Punjab, a key agricultural state, continues to deal with stubble burning, and Punjab’s efforts to control farm fires remain at the centre of public discussion. Farmers often burn leftover crop residue, which creates pollution. Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian said the state is working very hard to manage this issue and most areas are now free from smoke. He believes the 155 recent fires likely came from small patches of residue in difficult-to-reach fields.

Khuddian explained that the government mainly uses machines to manage stubble. Farmers now see large amounts of collected stubble in their fields. However, he also noted that farmers face economic pressure, which pushes them toward burning. He said the blame for Delhi’s pollution often falls on Punjab, yet people ignore pollution from firecrackers during Diwali.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has asked Punjab and Haryana to submit reports on the steps they are taking. This came after air quality in Delhi and the NCR worsened. A bench led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai raised concerns about rising pollution and demanded details on prevention methods.

Data from the Punjab Pollution Control Board shows major improvement. Farm fire cases dropped by 70% in 2024. Punjab recorded 10,909 incidents, down from 36,663 in 2023 and 49,922 in 2022. However, this season still saw 4,662 fires, with 58% of them occurring in the last 12 days. On November 1, officials recorded 442 fires, but even this shows a 35% decline from last year’s numbers.

To strengthen control, the Commission for Air Quality Management directed Punjab to create a ‘Parali Protection Force.’ This force works at district and block levels to stop burning. The PPCB has deployed 10,000 personnel across 11,624 villages, including 5,000 nodal officers, 1,500 coordinators, and 1,200 field officers.

These officers guide farmers, enforce rules, and send daily updates through an ATR mobile app built by the PPCB and the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre. This app helps track every action taken against stubble burning.

Additionally, Khuddian said the agriculture department has sanctioned 21,958 CRM machines. These machines help farmers manage crop residue without burning it. Many farmers now understand that burning damages soil health by destroying micronutrients, which are essential for crop growth.

Punjab plays a crucial role in India’s food production, providing a large portion of wheat and rice. Therefore, cleaner air is necessary for the health of both people and crops. Because the state’s farming practices affect neighbouring regions, including Delhi, Punjab’s actions influence air quality across northern India.

Although Punjab has made progress, the battle against stubble burning is not over. Better machines, stronger monitoring, and more awareness can help reduce fires further. Policymakers and farmers must continue working together to protect the environment and support sustainable farming.

In conclusion, Punjab’s efforts to control farm fires show strong progress, but more cooperation, awareness, and long-term solutions are needed to fully stop stubble burning and keep the air clean.

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Amritsar, Punjab: Punjab and Himachal Pradesh heighten security as police and security agencies increase checks across border areas. They fear the attackers may try to move through these regions. Therefore, teams are scanning vehicles and monitoring movement in several sensitive zones.

Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, the Amritsar police commissioner, said a large security operation is in progress. He explained, “We are checking all crowded places, including bus stands, railway parking areas, hotels, and several religious sites. We are scanning every vehicle entering or leaving the city.”

In Gurdaspur district, senior superintendent of police Aditya confirmed that officers strengthened security at multiple checkpoints. These checkpoints are located at important entry routes such as Gurdaspur city and Dinanagar. In addition, 32 other nakas are active in the district to track movement.

Aditya added that teams have increased vehicle checks and are watching routes towards Pathankot and Jammu and Kashmir. Moreover, police teams are patrolling the international border along with the Border Security Force. The district also started horse-mounted patrols to improve night surveillance.

Along the Himachal Pradesh border, officers are tightening control as well. Chamba superintendent of police Vijay Kumar Saklani said, “We have sealed main entry points from Punjab, including Tunnu Hatti. Our teams are also checking outposts near the Jammu and Kashmir border, such as Sansari Nullah.” During the night, patrol units are searching for suspicious activity to ensure no intruder slips through.

In Kangra district, police are increasing night inspections on national highways and border roads. Superintendent of police Ashok Rattan stated that all police stations are staying alert. Whenever officers spot unfamiliar movement or new visitors, they verify identities immediately.

Pathankot, a highly sensitive district, connects Punjab with Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir and also with Chamba and Kangra in Himachal Pradesh. Because of this, it remains under tight security. An intelligence officer said that forces are using sniffer dogs, handheld scanners, and drones for surveillance. These tools help detect any infiltration attempts quickly.

The officer further explained that whenever a terror attack happens in the capital, the northern border belt becomes the first focus. This region has multiple exit routes, so agencies must seal every possible gap. As the Red Fort investigation continues, both states remain on maximum alert.

The borders between Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir are porous, which means people can cross easily. Therefore, strict security becomes extremely important during high-risk situations. After major terror incidents in the past, these regions have always increased border checks, showing a clear pattern of preventive action.

Police are also working closely with local communities. They are asking residents to report suspicious activities or unfamiliar people. This cooperation helps officers act faster and reduce risks. In many cases, public awareness has prevented dangerous situations.

Through these expanded efforts, authorities aim to protect both residents and travelers. They want everyone to feel safe while moving in these areas. As officers patrol roads, borders, and crowded places, they remain committed to stopping any threat linked to the Red Fort incident.

The current alert serves as a reminder that vigilance is important for peace and security. People are encouraged to stay aware, follow safety instructions, and support local police efforts.

In conclusion, with stronger checks, extra patrols, advanced surveillance, and community support, both states are prepared to handle any challenge. These continued efforts show why Punjab and Himachal Pradesh heighten security and how seriously the authorities are working to keep everyone safe.

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The Phagwara police have taken firm action after a couple arrested for cheating in land deal became a serious complaint. A man named Kuldip Singh Gill from Maqsooda said that a couple from Patara village, Pyara Singh and his wife Neetu, cheated him in a land purchase. He explained that they offered to sell him land in Bohani village near Phagwara.

Kuldip planned to buy 9 kanals and 1 marla of land. Because he trusted the couple, he paid them ₹11.5 lakh as advance money. This included ₹3.5 lakh through online payment and ₹8 lakh in cash. After the payment, he waited for the land transfer to happen. However, nothing changed in the land records.

Soon after, Kuldip learned that Neetu already owned the land and the couple never transferred it to him. Therefore, he understood that they had cheated him. Feeling helpless and frustrated, he immediately reported the matter to the Phagwara police.

Police quickly registered a case against Pyara and Neetu under Section 420 for cheating and Section 120-B for criminal conspiracy. These charges are serious and are often used in fraud and scam cases. Officers also said they are checking if the couple tricked anyone else in the same way.

Moreover, this case highlights a bigger issue in Punjab. Land fraud has increased across the state because land prices keep rising. In fact, agricultural land prices have grown by nearly 10% every year in the last five years. Since land has become more valuable, dishonest people try to scam buyers who do not know legal procedures well.

Phagwara and nearby rural areas attract many buyers because of their fertile soil and closeness to Jalandhar. However, this also creates more chances for fraud, especially when buyers depend only on verbal promises instead of checking records themselves.

Experts say buyers must stay alert. They should always verify land records, meet revenue officials, and check ownership documents. Furthermore, legal advisors say people should avoid paying large cash amounts without a written agreement.

Local authorities also encourage awareness programs so buyers can understand the risks in property deals. Many victims lose their life savings because they trust the wrong people. With more awareness, these cases can be reduced.

As the investigation continues, the police urge others to come forward if they have faced similar fraud. Early reporting helps police catch more scammers and protect honest buyers.

In conclusion, this incident reminds everyone to stay careful during property deals. Proper checks, expert advice, and verified documents are essential. With rising fraud cases, safety must come first, and the case of a couple arrested for cheating in land deal shows why buyers must stay alert.

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