CURBING STREET CRIMES, ERADICATING DRUGS TOP PRIORITIES FOR PUNJAB POLICE, DGP PUNJAB TO CPs/SSPs

Sangrur News: Reiterating that curbing petty crimes and eradicating drugs from the state as top priorities of the Punjab Police, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav on Thursday categorically asked all the field officers to use all the mechanisms to address crimes affecting citizen security especially extortion calls, snatching, theft, and burglary, and action against drugs at point of sale.

“Police personnel must immediately register FIRs in petty crimes including snatching, rather than sweeping them under the carpet,” he said, while adding that in any case of laxity, accountability will be fixed for concerned officers, whether SSP, DSP, or SHO.

The DGP accompanied by DIG Patiala Range Mandeep Singh Sidhu was chairing a meeting with all the officers of Patiala Range— Patiala, Malerkotla, Sangrur and Barnala— at Police Lines in Sangrur to review the performance and take stock of law and order situation ahead of Panchayat Elections. SSP Patiala Nanak Singh, SSP Sangrur Sartaj Chahal, SSP Barnala Sandeep Malik and SSP Malerkotla Gagan Ajit Singh were also present in the meeting.

He said that to achieve this goal, the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) camera saturation at snatching and drug sale hotspots is being intensified across the state. Control rooms are being established at district and sub-divisional levels for real-time monitoring, he said.

SSPs have been directed to deal with such criminals with iron hand and make maximum use of section 68F of the NDPS to freeze illegally acquired property by the drug suppliers, he said.

The DGP also directed SSPs to deal with such criminals with iron hand and make maximum use of section 68F of the NDPS to freeze illegally acquired property by the drug suppliers.

He also encouraged police officers to act promptly on tips received via the newly launched Safe Punjab Anti-Drug Helpline ‘9779100200’. This helpline allows citizens to report drug traffickers anonymously.

Ahead of Panchayat elections, DGP Gaurav Yadav also reviewed security arrangements across the state, directing officers to ensure free and fair elections. He emphasised the need for violence-free elections, reserving sufficient force to handle any law and order situation.

During the meeting, SSPs have been directed to prepare history-sheets, take exemplary action against violent crimes, enhance surveillance, utilise technology for crime detection, and ensure the seizure of properties belonging to drug traffickers. He also asked SSPs to personally interrogate criminals.

Meanwhile, the DGP Punjab also took feedback from all the officers to understand practical issues being faced at ground level. He asked SSPs to hold weekly crime review meetings with all the sub-divisional DSPs and station house officers (SHOs).