Shimla, Oct. 5 -- The Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the state government to impose an immediate and complete ban on the operation of anti-hail guns across the state for at least one year, observing that concerns raised by orchardists over excessive rainfall and damage to adjoining apple-growing areas appeared to be substantiated.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G S Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin C Negi passed the directions while hearing a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) initiated by the court following representations from local fruit growers.

The court examined an affidavit filed by the Director of Horticulture, which indicated that heavy and prolonged rainfall was recorded whenever the anti-hail system o...