LAHORE, Feb 3: Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on Monday directed the Lahore, Kasur and Gujranwala Nazimeen to impose Section 144 to check hooliganism on Basant.

He ordered on the spot arrest of those found firing in the air or flying kites with metal wire or tandi, at a meeting. Lahore Nazim and town Nazimeen, the chief secretary, home secretary, IGP and Lesco chief attended the meeting.

“The Section 144 should be imposed forthwith for a month to ensure life and property protection during the spring festival, the chief minister ordered.

He asked the IGP and the Lahore Nazim to raid places where chemicals for tandi and metal wire were being prepared, and arrest their operators. He said the government was responsible to protect lives and property of the people on Basant, warning the officials concerned that no slackness would be tolerated.

He said power supply disruption because of kite-flying was a matter of serious concern, urging the district government and Wapda officials to prevent major losses.

The chief minister expressed dissatisfaction over sanitation and anti-encroachment drive in the city. He directed the Nazim to prepare an anti-encroachment plan in consultation with town Nazimeen.