10052025-CT-01.qxd 5/10/2025 12:06 AM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune HEALTH DEPT READIES FOR EMERGENCY SITUATION ARRESTED GANGSTERS WANTED TO DISTURB PEACE IN UT: COPS The arrest of two gangsters possibly prevented an imminent attack to disturb peace in UT, say cops. P3 PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 38°C | MIN 25°C YESTERDAY MAX 37.9°C | MIN 24.3°C CELEBS LAUD ARMY AFTER INDIA FOILS PAK ATTACKS A panel led by PGI Director Vivek Lal conducts an extensive inspection of the Advanced Trauma Centre. P3 FORECAST Veteran actor Anupam Kher took to social media to share a video from his family's home in Jammu. P6 » » SUNSET SATURDAY 7.06 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 5:32 AM » SATURDAY | 10 MAY 2025 | CHANDIGARH /THETRIBUNECHD FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE WHAT THEY SAY and the current ❝Punjab is a border stateof thegiven Cross sensitive situation, the role Red becomes even more crucial. This drive is not merely about donating blood, it is a test of our social unity and humanitarian values. On the security front, we are fully geared up and equipped to deal with any exigency. Public is advised to stay calm and ignore rumours as the situation continues to be well under control. ❞ — GULAB CHAND KATARIA, PUNJAB GOVERNOR-CUM-UT ADMINISTRATOR ❝ Heavy rush of customers at the Sector 26 mandi in Chandigarh on Friday; and (right) students wait for buses to their native places in Sector 17, as colleges have been closed for two days. PHOTOS: PRADEEP TEWARI Tricity on edge amid curfew-like curbs Markets told to remain closed from sunset to sunrise, public movement restricted Nitin Jain Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 9 The entire tricity region, comprising Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula, has been on edge with the curfew-like restrictions put in place amid mounting tension between India and Pakistan. The District Magistrates concerned have ordered the closure of cinema halls and shopping malls from sunset to sunrise till further orders and imposed a ban on the use of inverter, generator and any other power backup being used for outdoor lights, billboard and streetlights. They have advised the public not to leave their houses unless urgent in the evening hours. These restrictions will remain in force till further orders. The prohibitory orders led to panic buying among the residents with grocery stores, super markets and fuel stations witnessing huge rush. There were reports of several stores and fuel stations running out of stock, which also led to profiteering and hoarding despite official orders against such practices. Meanwhile, the leaves of all government employees and officials across the tricity region have been cancelled. On Pakistan’s radar ever since India carried out missile strikes on terror bases in Pakistan and later drone strikes on Lahore and Karachi, the tricity region of Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula have been put on high alert. All vital defence and civil installations, government buildings, religious and public places have been brought under enhanced security and vigilance. As the air sirens on Friday morning pierced the ears of the tricity residents after sleepless Thursday blackout night following the reports of possible drone attack, the focus once again shifted to A road in Chandigarh on Friday evening. DESERTED ROADS Even as Chandigarh and Mohali did not impose any blackout on Friday, both cities wore a deserted look after 8 pm. With the streetlights and outdoor lighting of a majority of buildings, including religious places, remaining switched off, the roads and streets were plunged into darkness. The public movement remained negligible. Panchkula also lifted mandatory daily blackout late Friday night. the vital installations. Security has been beefed up at the Western Command Headquarters in Chandimandir, Mullanpur Air Force base, DRDO’s two major establishments in Chandigarh, international airport in Mohali, Mata Mansa Devi temple, Gurdwara Nada Sahib, both in Panchkula, leading malls and markets, railway stations, and bus stands. With all schools, colleges and even coaching institutions closed till Sunday and Panjab University deferring the scheduled semester and entrance exams till further notice, the outstation students thronged the bust stands and railway stations for their journey back home. As part of the contingency plan for public safety, several hotels and dharamshalas have been earmarked for use as emergency rescue and shelter centres. An enrolment and training camp on civil defence will be conducted at Tagore Theatre here on Saturday for the individuals interested in serving as volunteers during emergency situations. In order to build emergency reserves and ensure prompt availability of blood in case of any emergency, Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Tensions with Pak trigger panic buying Tribune News Service WHAT’S ON APNI MANDI Chandigarh: Sec 40, 43 & 49 P’kula: Sector 20 Mohali: Sector 82 Please send information about events in tricity at: whatson@tribunemail.com Lok Adalat postponed Chandigarh, May 9 The National Lok Adalat to be held at the district courts on May 10 has been postponed for the time being. The District Bar Association (DBA) today observed a nowork day in the district courts. Ashok Chauhan, president of DBA, said the association supported the armed forces for their valour in these trying times. Earlier, the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana had given a call to observe no-work day at all courts across Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh on May 9. Rakesh Gupta. Chairman of Bar Council, said the decision was taken keeping in view the safety concerns of litigants, advocates and staff. — TNS Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla chairs a meeting with senior officials. PHOTO: RAMKRISHAN UPADHYAY Civic body activates 24x7 emergency control room Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 9 The Municipal Corporation (MC) has activated 24x7 emergency control room (No. 0172-2787200) to receive emergency calls. A dedicated team, under the supervision of SDE Rudesh Kumar has been formed for the purpose. The decision to set up the emergency control room was taken at a meeting chaired by Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla with senior officials of the MC to ensure swift and proactive response to the situation arising due to escalating tension between India and Pakistan. The meeting was attended by Municipal Commissioner Amit Kumar, Senior Deputy Mayor Jasbir Singh Bunty, Deputy Mayor Taruna Mehta, all Joint Commissioners, Chief Engineer, Superintending Engineers and other senior officers of the Corporation. The Mayor said, “The citizens’ safety is our topmost priority and the Municipal Corporation is fully mobilised to respond swiftly and efficiently.” The Mayor instructed the officials concerned for the immediate implementation of a blackout plan. The SE (Horticulture) has been appointed as nodal officer to oversee the exercise of switching off street and solar lights, and sounding sirens if required. In the event of electricity failure, the SE (Public Health) has been directed to ensure uninterrupted water supply through tankers. Community Centres are being identified and prepared to function as evacuation centres if required, with logistical arrangements for board and lodging. Vital installations such as waterworks, tubewells and the Integrated Command and Control Centre are to be secured. Only verified government personnel will be permitted access to these locations. The Mayor has urged the residents to remain calm, avoid rumours and cooperate with the authorities. c m y b Chandigarh, May 9 People rushed to buy groceries and fuel in the city today despite warning from the UT Administration against hoarding of essential commodities. Most of the department stores witnessed huge crowds. Sanjay Gupta, owner of a grocery store in Manimajra, said, “People rushed to purchase food items in panic.” He even assured them that there was no shortage but they were not ready to listen, he said, while adding that he ran out the wheat flour stock by afternoon. According to reports, some shopkeepers were charging more than usual prices for groceries. Soban Singh, a milk vendor, said he went out of stock as people bought nearly double their normal daily needs. Ranjit Singh, a resident of Sector 19, said he was a senior citizen and had no option but to stock food items for at least a month fearing a full-scale war with Pakistan. Rajinder Kaur, a resident of Sector 27, said there was no milk stock with online e-commerce platforms in the morning. Most petrol pumps witnessed long queues of motorists since morning and a few stations went dry by the evening. Randhir Singh, a software engineer, said it took nearly an hour to get his fuel tank fill. Continued on page 5 Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria launched a statewide special blood donation drive from the headquarters of the Punjab Red Cross Society here. The campaign has been simultaneously undertaken across all 23 districts of Punjab. At the PGIMER, the call for voluntary blood donation given by its Director Prof Vivek Lal, evoked an overwhelming response. “Blood donations increased by 1520%, which is a truly impressive achievement,” said HoD, Transfusion Medicine, Prof Rati Ram Sharma. NO DAILY BLACKOUT Blackout will be imposed in Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula, as and when required. Panchkula Commissioner of Police Sibash Kabiraj ordered removal of mandatory daily blackout in Panchkula after receiving revised government instructions late this evening. Continued on page 5 Let us, as responsible citizens, stand united in full solidarity with our armed forces and civil authorities during this time of heightened preparedness. Public cooperation and vigilance are vital to ensuring the safety and security of all residents. ❞ — NISHANT KUMAR YADAV, CHANDIGARH DC ❝ In view of the prevailing circumstances and intelligence inputs indicating a potential air strike threat from Pakistan, complete blackout may be required during the night hours to safeguard public as well as strategic interests. ❞ — KOMAL MITTAL, MOHALI DC ❝ We are fully vigilant and there is no need for the public to panic. Police personnel are active at all checkpoints and thorough checking of suspicious individuals and vehicles is being carried out. ❞ — HIMADRI KAUSHIK, PANCHKULA DCP ❝ In the wake of the current situation of uncertainty, it is natural to have a diverse range of emotions, concern, confusion, and even fear to some extent. I urge the entire Panjab University community to remain calm and composed besides being thoughtful. ❞ — PROF RENU VIG, PU VC ARMY REQUISITIONS TRUCKS, BUSES To deal with any exigency, the Army has requisitioned trucks and buses from the local civil administrations. “We have arranged over 225 big trucks for the Army besides ensuring that buses from the state transport will be made available, as and when required,” a senior official told The Tribune. The Army, it was learnt, through its Western Command headquartered in Chandimandir, was mobilising the resources and logistics to move the battle tanks, men, machinery and material to the border areas in case of any such need.