Punjab revokes order to evacuate border villages

The Punjab government has revoked orders of evacuating border villages and directed officials to ensure smooth return of villagers to their homes.

Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal said the decision was taken after the Centre, which had earlier issued directions to evacuate people from villages located within a 10-km radius of the border, revoked the order. The evacuation orders were issued in Punjab on September 29, following surgical strikes on terror launchpads in PoK.

Sukhbir said the decision came after a review of the border situation in a meeting presided by Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Jaisalmer Thursday.