To combat the scourge of drugs from Punjab, the Special Task Force (STF) for drugs and the district police units would work in tandem.

Announcing this, the state Director General of Police (DGP) Suresh Arora on Thursday called upon all members of the force to work as one team to realise Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh’s vision of a drug-free Punjab.

DGP, chairing a review meeting of all Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) in the state, exhorted the police force to remain alert and vigilant against terrorism, organized crime and drugs, and to adopt technology aggressively to fight these problems.

The meeting, also attended by other senior police officers, including DGP Intelligence Dinkar Gupta, DGP Special Task Force Mohd Mustafa and DGP Law and Order HS Dhillon, reviewed the police strategy and actions to fight the threat of terrorism, along with organized crime and drugs.

The progress on the implementation of the Crime and Criminal Tracking and Network System (CCTNS) was also reviewed for each district.

DGP asked the SSPs and CPs to facilitate installation of CCTVs at public places and vital installations, and improve capacity building in anti-riot equipment and training, including body protection, cane-shields and non-lethal equipment.

Presenting before the meeting the state’s security scenario, Dinkar Gupta underlined the need for the force to be in a state of vigilance and alertness while pointing out that Punjab was located on international border with remnant terrorist elements still trying to foment trouble, especially with support from radicals based in North America and Europe.

Hardeep Dhillon briefed the field officers about the preparedness to meet challenges on the law and order front in view of the forthcoming festival season.

Mohd Mustafa, while outlining the anti-drug strategy, stated that the entire police force would work under the leadership of the DGP in a synergised manner.

During the meeting, the DGP unveiled a software designed by the Saanjh consultant Prithpal Singh, under the supervision of DGP Intelligence for analysis and tracking of proclaimed offenders.

A detailed review of general crime, including crimes against persons and crimes against property, and discussion on untraced heinous cases was coordinated by Bureau of Investigation director Prabodh Kumar.