DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar holds high-level meeting with SSPs, exhorts them to do their duty diligently

Chandigarh: A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Harcharan Singh Bhullar, DIG, Patiala Range, Patiala, with the SSsP of Patiala Range Districts to tackle drug smuggling and to motivate the police towards their duties.

He directed all the SSsP that the police personnel under their respective jurisdictions should be vigilant, improve their work and conduct, and maintain friendly dealings with the public to address their grievances. He also instructed them to take necessary action against anti-social elements, maintain law and order, and control crime.

Furthermore, he directed that the transfer of police officials from Constable to Inspector rank should be done on administrative grounds in accordance with Punjab Police rules and as per the transfer policy issued by the DGP, Punjab. No police official and Homeguard Jawan should be posted in their home subdivision. In compliance with the above, the SSsP of Patiala Range have implemented major reshuffles in their respective districts. A total of 916 police officials from the rank of Constable to Inspector have been transferred, including 537 in Patiala, 188 in Sangrur, 118 in Barnala, and 73 in Malerkotla. Additionally, police officials from the rank of ASI to Inspector covered under the transfer policy have also been transferred from one district to another within the Patiala Range, with some names recommended for transfer out of the Patiala Range.

It was clarified that, as per the instructions and guidelines issued by the Hon’ble Election Commission of India and the Director General of Police, Punjab, regarding the Lok Sabha Election 2024, SI and Inspector rank officials who had three years of service in one district and were posted in their home districts were already transferred to another district within the Patiala Range.

Earlier, DIG Patiala Range held a meeting with all the SSPs, SPs, and DSPs, following the DGP Punjab’s instructions to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against drug and organized/heinous crime. Drug hotspots should be kept under strict surveillance, and random raids/checks should be conducted to monitor habitual NDPS criminals. CASO operations should be planned and executed, and strict action should be taken against drug smugglers. The backward and forward linkages should be thoroughly investigated, and offenders should be arrested accordingly. Officers were also instructed to identify major criminals and take strict action to disrupt the supply chain. They were encouraged to utilize Section 68F of the NDPS Act to freeze properties illegally acquired by drug suppliers.

The SSsP were also directed not to spare any police officials involved in corruption or collusion with drug traffickers. Such individuals must be dealt with strictly, and departmental action or exemplary punishments should be ensured. All officers/officials were asked to interact with the public in a polite manner and, as per the DGP Punjab’s directions, Circle Officers, SHOs, and in-charge Police Posts should be available in their offices on working days from 11 am to 1 pm to hear and resolve citizens’ grievances.

Additionally, as per the orders of the Hon’ble High Court and higher officers, pending complaints should be resolved in a timely manner, and a special campaign should be initiated to arrest those involved in heinous crimes, with GOs personally supervising such cases. No anti-social activity or person should be spared under any circumstances. All SHOs should ensure proper patrolling in their jurisdictions on a daily basis, review the law and order situation, and promote citizen-friendly policing.