NAROWAL: Farmers continue to violate ban on burning crop residues in many parts of Punjab adding to smog.

The Punjab government has banned torching crop residues, work in smoke-emitting factories, brick kilns and other such sources of pollution to keep the environment clean.

Thanks to alleged inattention of the Narowal district officials, farmers have set fire to crop residues after cultivating rice in the fields.

Flames can be seen arising in the fields at various places in Narowal, Zafarwal and Shakargarh tehsils. Fields were on fire at more than 10 places from Kartarpur to Noor Kot on Narowal-Shakargarh Road on Wednesday. The fire also affected the roadside trees resulting in pollution.

Smog is increasing with every passing day and the residents of nearby villages are being affected by it.

Azmatullah and Sharafat Ali Basra said the district administration was providing relief to the farmers but they were not avoiding the practice causing smog.

The assistant commissioner and other officers do not go out in the fields to see for themselves the situation and take action, they alleged.

Citizens have demanded stern action against the farmers violating the ban and urged Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar to take action against the delinquent officers.

DRUG PEDDLERS: Police claim to have arrested 54 people with 450 bottles of liquor and 32 kilogram hashish and many others with arms.

District Police Officer Hafiz Wahid said teams arrested 54 drug dealers during a 15-day campaign. Police seized450 bottles of liquor and 32kg hashish.

Police also cracked down on illegal arms holders and arrested 26 people.

Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2020