With the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in rural areas ofHaryana, the Khattar government has invoked the provisions of British Raj-era law, The Punjab Small Town Patrol Act, 1918 that empowers people in villages to guard themselves through Thikri Pehra (closevigil). The villagers have been told to control the gathering of people and to enforce compliance of Covid-19 protocol in their villages.
As per the orders passed under Section-3 of thePunjab Villagesand Small Town Patrol Act, 1918 by DCs of various districts, all the village panchayats in the state have been directed to perform patrol duty throughout the day and night and to ensure there is no gathering of people.