Mohali/Chandigarh: Security has been tightened across Mohali and Chandigarh ahead of the Punjab bandh called by Qaumi Insaf Morcha on Friday, with police stepping up vigil at sensitive locations and key border points to prevent any law and order disruption.Mohali SSP Harmandeep Singh Hans directed all DSPs and SHOs to remain on high alert and ensure no vulnerable area is left unattended. Police have been asked to maintain a strong presence in their jurisdictions and keep a close watch on markets, major intersections, government establishments and other sensitive spots.Checking points have been set up at strategic locations, especially along district borders, with intensive checking of vehicles and individuals planned at entry and exit points. DSPs and SHOs have been told to personally supervise deployments and remain in constant coordination with field staff. Additional police personnel will be stationed at vulnerable points, while reserve forces will remain on standby.Police have also appealed to residents to cooperate with security arrangements and avoid unnecessary travel, particularly near the Chandigarh-Mohali border, where congestion and disruptions are anticipated.The bandh, called till 2 pm to press for the release of imprisoned Sikhs, has received support from several Sikh organisations, which have also announced participation at the protest site in Mohali. Essential services, healthcare facilities and wedding ceremonies have been exempted.The call follows clashes on August 15 when Qaumi Insaf Morcha activists marching towards the Punjab Governor’s House were stopped by police using lathicharge and tear gas.In Chandigarh, around 800 police personnel have been deployed at key entry and exit points and sensitive locations, including the Punjab Governor’s House and the chief minister’s residence. SSP Kanwardeep Kaur said adequate security arrangements had been made and Chandigarh Police would remain in close coordination with Mohali Police throughout the day.The bandh is also expected to affect normal activities. Panjab University has postponed all clash, left-out, medical, sports, NCC and NSS examinations scheduled for Friday. The examinations will now be held on Sept 10.Several private schools in Chandigarh have shifted classes to online mode as a precautionary measure to avoid inconvenience to students and staff commuting from Mohali and surrounding areas. However, the Chandigarh education department has not issued any closure order, saying government schools are unlikely to be significantly affected due to the neighbourhood-based admission policy.Meanwhile, the District Bar Association, Mohali, has declared Friday a “No Work Day” and requested judicial and revenue officers to adjourn listed matters. The Mohali Beopar Mandal said the decision on whether markets would remain open or closed has been left to individual market associations.
