In a stern call to action, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday rallied the state’s top police officers, urging them to “pull up their socks” in preparation for the impending Lok Sabha elections. Addressing the Inspector Generals, Commissioners of Police, and Senior Superintendents of Police in a critical meeting at Ludhiana, the Chief Minister emphasized the paramount importance of ensuring the integrity and tranquility of the democratic process.

With concerns ranging from the scourge of drug trafficking to the imperative of preserving communal harmony, Mann left no room for complacency, urging officers to bolster their efforts to guarantee free, fair, and peaceful polls; and ensure that citizens can participate in the electoral process without any fear or hindrance.

The Chief Minister, who is also holding the charge of the Home Minister, urged the officers to be vigilant, proactive, and uncompromising in their efforts to combat the drug menace, stressing the need for thorough investigations and the dismantling of drug trafficking networks. “Conduct thorough investigations and trace the backward links of apprehended drug traffickers to dismantle their networks effectively,” said Mann.

Stressing the need for a crackdown on narcotics ahead of the polls, Mann urged the officers to leave no stone unturned in ensuring a drug-free electoral environment.

Furthermore, the Chief Minister underscored the delicate balance of maintaining communal harmony, particularly in the deployment of security forces from outside the State. Sensitivity to religious sentiments, he emphasized, is paramount in ensuring a peaceful electoral atmosphere. He urged the Punjab Police to lead these forces with tact and empathy, ensuring that no offense is inadvertently caused.

“To assist the Punjab Police, several companies of paramilitary forces will be arriving in the State soon. These forces are ignorant about the tradition, beliefs and customs of the state, so the Punjab Police should lead them to ensure that religious sentiments of people are not hurt,” he said.

The Chief Minister also asked the Police officers to make sure that proper coordination and synchronization is maintained between civil and Police administration both at district and state level. He said that the Police should launch a massive drive to check the scourge of illegal weapons in the state and exemplary action must be taken against individuals having such weapons.

Adherence to the guidelines laid down by the Election Commission of India was another focal point of the Chief Minister’s directives. He emphasized the necessity of strict compliance with electoral laws and regulations, including the depositing of licensed weapons and the prevention of any untoward incidents during the polling process. These measures, he asserted, are fundamental in facilitating fair and transparent elections.

In addition to these directives, the Chief Minister called for proactive measures to counter rumours and misinformation during the electoral period. He urged the officers to leverage various social and electronic media platforms to disseminate accurate information and maintain public trust in the electoral process.

Throughout the meeting, the Chief Minister reiterated the government's unwavering commitment to ensuring the integrity and fairness of the electoral process in Punjab. He underscored the crucial role that the Punjab Police plays in upholding democratic values and preserving the rights of citizens to participate in the democratic process without fear or hindrance.

Mann also expressed hope that the hi-tech vehicles provided to the Police forces recently will further enhance the efficiency of the force and they will be able to tackle the situation far more effectively. He also batted for installation of CCTVs at all the vulnerable points in the districts especially at the nakas of the force.