📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Fauzdar Rashmi
Crime
423 FIRs Filed in Patiala Over Stubble Burning
✍️ Amar Ujala · Patiala
🗓 03 Nov 2026, 05:36 PM
👁 15
Patiala police have registered 423 first‑information reports against individuals accused of burning agricultural residue, intensifying enforcement against the polluting practice.
Patiala law‑enforcement officials reported that a total of 423 first‑information reports (FIRs) have been lodged against persons suspected of setting fire to agricultural stubble. The FIRs were filed after multiple complaints and field inspections identified illegal burning activities across the district.
Stubble burning, a common post‑harvest practice in parts of Punjab, is prohibited under state environmental regulations due to its contribution to air pollution and health hazards. The police action reflects a heightened focus on curbing the practice ahead of the winter smog season.
Authorities have warned that offenders may face penalties including fines and imprisonment, and have urged farmers to adopt alternative residue‑management methods such as mulching, composting, or using certified machinery. The crackdown aims to reduce the recurring haze that affects Patiala and neighboring regions.
The district administration is coordinating with the Punjab Pollution Control Board to monitor compliance and will continue to register FIRs as new violations are reported. Community outreach programs are also being planned to educate farmers about sustainable alternatives.
Stubble burning, a common post‑harvest practice in parts of Punjab, is prohibited under state environmental regulations due to its contribution to air pollution and health hazards. The police action reflects a heightened focus on curbing the practice ahead of the winter smog season.
Authorities have warned that offenders may face penalties including fines and imprisonment, and have urged farmers to adopt alternative residue‑management methods such as mulching, composting, or using certified machinery. The crackdown aims to reduce the recurring haze that affects Patiala and neighboring regions.
The district administration is coordinating with the Punjab Pollution Control Board to monitor compliance and will continue to register FIRs as new violations are reported. Community outreach programs are also being planned to educate farmers about sustainable alternatives.