The District Administration has issued a public safety notification announcing scheduled firing practice at the Chinthe Long Range in Birchgunj on December 15 and December 23, 2025, cautioning residents to stay away from the area during the notified hours. The advisory has been issued in exercise of powers under the Manoeuvres, Field Firing and Artillery Practice Act, 1938, and applies to all civilians, vehicles and livestock in the vicinity of the firing range.
According to the notification, the firing practice will be conducted from 9.30 am to 5 pm on both dates. During this period, the specified range will be actively used by the unit concerned for live firing exercises. Authorities have warned that entry into the firing zone during the scheduled hours could pose serious safety risks.
The administration has advised all concerned to ensure that no movement takes place within the firing range area for the duration of the exercise. This includes pedestrians, motorists and livestock owners, who have been specifically cautioned to keep animals away from the notified zone. The advisory is intended to prevent accidental exposure to danger during the conduct of the practice.
Such firing notifications are periodically issued as part of routine training and preparedness activities. Officials indicated that advance intimation allows residents living in nearby areas to make alternative arrangements and avoid unnecessary risk. The administration has emphasised that strict adherence to the advisory is necessary in the interest of public safety.
Local authorities are expected to coordinate on-ground arrangements to ensure that warning signs and access restrictions are in place during the firing hours. Residents have been advised to follow instructions issued by security personnel and local officials deployed in and around the area on the notified dates.
The Chinthe Long Range at Birchgunj has been designated for firing and training purposes, and similar notifications are issued whenever the facility is scheduled for active use. Authorities have clarified that the restriction applies only for the specified dates and times mentioned in the notification and that normal access will resume thereafter.
Members of the public have been urged to share the information within their communities to ensure wider awareness, particularly among those who may not have direct access to official notifications. Livestock owners in surrounding areas have also been advised to take precautionary measures in advance to avoid straying of animals into the restricted zone.
The administration has reiterated that the advisory is purely precautionary and forms part of standard safety protocol during firing exercises. By complying with the notification and avoiding the area during the scheduled hours, residents can help ensure that the exercise is conducted smoothly without any safety incidents.
