To make Punjab a crime-free state while also boosting the general public’s confidence, Punjab Police on Sunday conducted a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) under the name of ‘OPS Vigil-II’ at vulnerable places including Railway Stations, Bus Stands and Hotels or Sarais situated around them in all the 28 Police districts of the state.
More than 7500 police personnel were involved to carry out the operation, which was conducted on the directions of the state Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav.
Apart from carrying out checking at bus stands and railway stations, over 550 well-coordinated Strong Inter-State and Inter-District nakas, were also set up under the supervision of Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) in the State for a thorough search of suspected vehicles or persons, while ensuring minimum inconvenience to the general public.
The operation was conducted in a synchronized manner from 7 am to 3 pm across the state. All the Commissioners of Police and Senior Superintendents of Police were asked to mobilize a maximum number of officers and manpower for this operation to lay strong ‘nakas’ at district or city sealing points. The operation was conducted under the supervision of Range Inspector Generals of Police (IGsP).
Special Director General of Police (Special DGP), Law and Order, Arpit Shukla said that the SP-level officers were deputed to conduct a search of the Railway Stations and Bus Stands, while, DSP-level officers were deputed at all the nakas.
“We had strictly instructed all the police personnel to deal with every person in a friendly and polite manner while frisking them or checking their vehicle during the course of this operation,” he added.
He said that Police teams have carried out CASO at 141 Railway Stations and 219 Bus Stands, besides conducting checking at 926 hotels, 172 Sarais and 166 Dharamshalas during the operation. Police teams have also checked 9521 two-wheelers and 7122 four-wheelers, he added.
Sharing outcomes of the operation, the Special DGP said that the Police teams have registered 116 FIRs and arrested 141 persons after recovering 1.15 kg heroin, 37 kg poppy husk, 243-litre illicit liquor, six pistols/revolvers, besides recovering Rs 7.02 lakhs of drug money from their possession. The Police have also arrested three Proclaimed Offenders (POs), he said, while adding that 1826 suspicious persons were also rounded up for questioning during the operation.
He said that such operations would continue till the menace of drugs and Gangsters wiped out from the state. These types of operations are part of the basic policing which includes keeping vigil at vulnerable spots and advance preparation to tackle any untoward situation, he added.
Meanwhile, such operations also help in showing the police presence in the field and boost confidence among common people.
