DW BUREAU / CHANDIGARH

In order to ensure peaceful celebrations of forthcoming Independence Day-2025 as mandated by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police has heightened the security across the state and a fortnight long special operation has been launched to keep vigil around the criminal and anti-social elements.

As per the directions of directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav, all the CPs/SSPs have been instructed to heighten security measures, increase patrols, and intensify night domination operations in their respective districts.

Divulging details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla said that in these two weeks, CPs/SSPs will conduct different operations on regular basis including anti-terrorist/gangster operations, checking of jails, deployment of nakas at strategic locations, combing operations, etc, will be conducted. The CPs/SSPs have also been instructed to keep a close watch on suspicious activities and individuals, and to take prompt action in case of any security breaches, he said.

The Special DGP has also issued directions to CPs/SSPs to bolster police presence at public venues and intensify surveillance and patrolling across critical areas in their respective jurisdictions. CPs/SSPs have also been directed to increase the number of police checkpoints in their respective jurisdictions and ensure the checking of a maximum number of vehicles at every Naka, which will help in curtailing terrorist and criminal activities, he added.

Meanwhile, Police teams have continued its cordon and search operation (CASO) against drugs on Day 154, and conducted raids at 481 locations on Saturday leading to the arrest of 107 drug smugglers after registration of 80 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 24,325 within 154 days. The Special DGP said that the raids have resulted in recovery of 13.9 kg heroin, 500 grams opium and Rs 34,820 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers.

He informed that over 180 Police teams, comprising over 1300 police personnel, under the supervision of 87 gazetted officers have conducted raids across the state and checked as many as 511 suspicious persons during the day long operation.

The Special DGP said that with the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy? Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)? to eradicate drugs from the state, the Punjab Police as part of 'De-addiction' has convinced 68 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.

(editor@dailyworld.in)