The Punjab Home Department has issued security guidelines regarding the Independence Day celebrations, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Monday.

The government passed instructions for strict security checking at all provincial and district entries and exits. It directed the deployment of additional personnel to man important buildings, offices, and sensitive places.

The department stressed foolproof security arrangements should be ensured before the celebrations across the province and the Special Branch must do scanning of the venue before all Independence Day events.

Stern action against the display of weapons and aerial firing must be taken and a zero-tolerance policy should be adopted against one-wheeling and driving stunts, it directed, adding that special security arrangements should be made for markets, parks shopping malls and important places per police SOPs.

The Rescue 1122, Bomb Disposal Squad and Civil Defense personnel will have to be on high alert and all-time availability of specialist doctors and essential medicines should be ensured in hospitals, the department instructed, adding that intelligence-based and combing operations should be conducted.

A special traffic plan should be created to ensure the smooth flow of traffic in big cities and adequate publicity of the traffic diversion plan should be ensured for public awareness, it directed, adding a special briefing should be organized for the security personnel and lawmen will remain on duty till the end of the events and the peaceful departure of the participants.