Chandigarh, May 11 — In a continued measure of caution, the Punjab government has announced that schools in five border districts and in Sangrur will remain closed on Monday, even as educational institutions in other parts of the state are set to reopen.
The decision affects the districts of Pathankot, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, and Tarn Taran, which share a 553-kilometre international border with Pakistan, as well as Sangrur.
Schools Closed, Online Classes Permitted in Some Areas
While colleges and universities in Amritsar, Pathankot, and Gurdaspur will also remain closed, district administrations have permitted online classes for both schools and higher education institutions. In Amritsar and Gurdaspur, teachers have been advised to continue academic activities virtually.The district commissioners of border areas have been granted the authority to decide on closures based on local conditions. Education Minister Harjot Bains reiterated that institutions must follow government-issued safety protocols. He also clarified that universities which had revised their examination schedules must adhere to the updated dates.
Precautionary Blackout Measures Reimposed
In a parallel move, several district administrations — including those in Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, and Moga — issued advisories urging residents to switch off lights voluntarily and remain indoors after dusk on Sunday.The Ferozepur district administration specifically advised lights to be turned off at 8 pm, while Fazilka shut down its markets by 7:30 pm. Mohali, although not imposing a full blackout, switched off streetlights and advised residents to stay indoors as a precaution.
These measures follow the reimposition of blackout protocols on Saturday, after Pakistan allegedly violated a ceasefire understanding. These precautions had initially been relaxed after both nations agreed to halt military actions following several days of drone and missile exchanges.
Calm Returns but Vigilance Remains
Despite the prevailing calm across Punjab on Sunday, particularly in the border regions, officials maintained a state of readiness. The Gurdaspur administration confirmed the situation remained peaceful and assured the public that they would be promptly informed in the event of any threat.Earlier on May 8, the state government had ordered a three-day closure of all academic institutions in response to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. Although a tentative return to normalcy was signaled by the government’s initial plan to reopen all institutions, Sunday’s revised directive reflects a cautious approach in sensitive areas.
Education Minister Bains had earlier expressed confidence in the situation and praised the armed forces, stating, “Regular classes and examinations will proceed as per academic schedule. We are immensely proud of our brave armed forces.” However, the dynamic ground situation led to selective district-level closures being extended.
The Punjab government continues to monitor developments closely and remains prepared to take further action based on evolving security assessments.