Chandigarh, Aug 2 - Securitymen in Punjab will no longer be required to suffer extreme weather conditions under tarpaulin tents. Punjab police have decided to replace all security tents with pre-fabricated structures in a phased manner.

Following orders from Director General of Police P.S. Gill, 217 such tents have already been replaced with pre-fabricated structures in the state while orders have been placed for 121 more pre-fab structures, a police spokesman said Sunday.

'The security tents will be replaced in a phased manner. The DGP has given orders that the tented accommodation be identified which can be replaced by pre-fabricated structures,' the spokesman said.

'The department felt that policemen performing guard duties were compelled to live in tented accommodation under extremely harsh weather and these did not even have basic facilities like for toilet, dining and kitchen,' he added.

The pre-fabricated structures will have toilet, kitchen and dining facilities.