Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the Tricity administrations—Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula—have ordered the closure of cinema halls and shopping malls from sunset to sunrise, effective May 9 until further notice.
Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav and SSP Kanwardeep Kaur held a press conference to brief the media on Chandigarh’s preparedness amid ongoing security concerns. Yadav stated that two types of sirens are being used— a five-minute siren indicates an air raid alert, followed by a green signal when it’s safe.
Residents must switch off all lights, cover windows, and avoid using mobile phones outdoors during night alerts. During the day, they should stay indoors and avoid balconies.
The directive, issued by Mohali Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal, comes in response to intelligence inputs warning of a potential aerial threat from Pakistan. “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 safety and strategic interests,” the order stated.
The Panchkula administration has placed the district on high alert and announced a complete blackout to be enforced across Panchkula tonight starting at 7 pm.
As part of the precautionary measures:
• Cinemas and shopping malls in Mohali will remain closed from 8:00 pm to 6:00 am daily.
• A ban has been imposed on the use of inverters, generators, solar lights, or any form of outdoor lights, including billboards and streetlights during blackout hours.
• Use of firecrackers, long-beam laser, and DJ lights is prohibited, especially in the evening.
• Residents are advised to avoid leaving their homes during evening hours unless absolutely necessary.
• If any siren/signal is sounded, the public should immediately follow instructions issued by the government from time to time. The public shall minimise the illumination in general.
The order shall not be applicable to the law enforcement agencies, including police, para military, Air Force, SPG personnel and persons authorised by competent government authority and also on hospitals and emergency services etc.
In view of the emergent situation and shortage of time, this order is being issued ex-parte and is addressed to the public in general. Any breach of this order would invite action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
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