Working towards the goal to make Punjab a drug-free state by the next Independence Day, the state Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Tuesday convened a crucial meeting with 44 Village Level Defence Committees (VLDCs) in Pathankot to devise a foolproof strategy to dismantle the drug supply network and curb drug smuggling.

VLDCs, which act as ‘eyes and ears’ of the security forces, plays a vital role on ground in getting real-time info leading to disruption of drug networks.

Inviting all the VLDCs to work as cohesive teams, DGP Yadav said that the Punjab Police have enforced a three-pronged strategy — Enforcement, De-addiction and Prevention — to completely root out the menace of drugs from the State.

In a landmark moment, Pathankot’s 44 VLDCs have taken a resolute stand against drug-related issues and declared their villages ‘Drug-Free Zones’. Representatives of VLDCs have vowed to work hand-in-hand with the Punjab Police to eradicate the drug menace from their communities.

Accompanied by IG Border Range (Amritsar) Narinder Bhargav, DIG BSF Gurdaspur, Pathankot Deputy Commissioner Harbir Singh, and Pathankot SSP Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh, DGP Yadav bestowed VLDCs with new identification cards and unique jackets to facilitate their identification and collaboration with law enforcement. He also lauded the extraordinary dedication and courage displayed by VLDCs during a critical flood crisis and honoured two outstanding VLDC members for their exemplary service.

During the meeting, DGP Yadav also stressed the need to revive an old human intelligence through real-time collection and sharing of information, emphasizing that collective efforts are instrumental in addressing border-related challenges.

He also ordered to equip Village Police Officers (VPOs) with new beat books to streamline the sharing of vital drug-related information with the police and timely exchange of crucial intelligence between the community and law enforcement.

Pertinently, the DGP Punjab had already made a significant announcement by offering a reward of Rs one lakh for individuals providing information on drone movements leading to the recovery of weapons or narcotics. This proactive measure aimed at curtailing illicit activities and enhancing security along the Punjab border.

State-Wide Raids at 206 Places Linked with Persons with Criminal Background

Punjab Police on Tuesday carried out a massive Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) at as many as 206 places linked with persons with criminal background. The simultaneous raids from 7 am to 10 am were conducted in all districts across the State on the directions of the state DGP Gaurav Yadav.

Special DGP (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla said that CPs and SSPs were directed to personally monitor these raids and make sufficient numbers of Police teams so that raids could be carried out simultaneously. The raids were planned after the questioning of several persons, who have links with anti-social elements sitting in and out of the country, he added.

Notably, as many as 115 parties of Punjab Police, headed by Inspectors or Sub-Inspectors, were deployed to conduct these raids at suspected places of anti-social elements.

“Police teams have conducted thorough searches at the houses and other premises linked with these mischievous elements and also collected data from their mobile phones and other electronic devices, which will be sent for forensic examinations…The operation was aimed at disrupting the nexus between India and abroad-based anti-social elements, which keep attempting to disturb the hard-earned peace of the State,” he said.