Fire Brigade and Civil Defence take part in a drill conducted as a part of the nationwide civil defence exercise, Operation Abhyaas, in Chandigarh, May 7, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI

The States of Punjab and Haryana and Union Territory, Chandigarh, continued to be on alert mode in the wake of India’s action against terror emanating from Pakistan. On Thursday (May 8, 2025), leaves of government personnel in government departments including police and health were cancelled and personnel were asked to be geared up round-the-clock.

Punjab Police cancelled leaves of all its personnel, while the Haryana government cancelled the leaves of all the personnel of the police and health departments. In Chandigarh, medical leaves of staff at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) and the Urban Ayushman Arogya Mandir (UAAMs) were cancelled with immediate effect until further directions, as per an order by the Mission Health director of National Health Mission (Chandigarh).

According to an order issued by the Punjab DGP office on May 7, leaves of all officers and employees of the Punjab Police were cancelled from May 7, citing administrative reasons. Haryana Health and Family Welfare Minister Arti Singh Rao said keeping in mind the current tense situation with Pakistan and the situation arising from the point of view of national security, the State government has decided to impose a ban on the leave of all officers and employees working in the Health Department with immediate effect.

The decision has been taken to ensure continuity, efficiency, and quick response of health services in the State, she said, adding that directions have been issued to officials to review preparedness of all hospitals and health centers and strengthen arrangements.

Meanwhile, all schools in the six border districts of Punjab — Amritsar, Pathankot, Fazilka, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran and Ferozepur — have already been closed as a preventive measure until further orders. Across the State, response teams including members of district administration, police, and civil defence have been formed at district, sub-division, block and village levels to deal with emergency situations.