In an aggressive push to clamp down on rising petty crimes and drug trafficking, Punjab Police is set to boost Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance at key crime hotspots and drug sale points across the state. The state Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Tuesday announced this initiative on Tuesday during a high-level law and order review meeting at the PAP Complex in Jalandhar, attended by senior officers and heads of various operational wings.
The DGP revealed that district and sub-divisional level CCTV control rooms are being established for real-time monitoring, allowing for swift action in crime-prone areas. This move follows a comprehensive mapping of crime hotspots, especially areas notorious for snatching and drug trafficking, over the last three years. The intensified use of surveillance technology aims to significantly curb these issues, which have posed ongoing challenges to public safety and security.
During the meeting, attended by officers from specialized units including the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), and Counter Intelligence, DGP Yadav emphasized that addressing petty crimes is one of the foremost priorities for the Punjab Police. Crimes such as extortion, snatching, theft, and burglary will be tackled with stringent measures. Field officers, including Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs), have been directed to adopt a zero-tolerance approach and use all available mechanisms to effectively counter these criminal activities.
In the fight against drug trafficking, DGP Yadav highlighted the use of Section 68F of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act to freeze assets illegally acquired by drug traffickers. He urged officers to employ this legal tool more frequently to weaken the financial clout of those involved in the drug trade.
With the Panchayat elections approaching, the DGP reviewed the security arrangements to ensure peaceful and fair elections. Officers have been instructed to implement tight security measures, including setting up strategic checkpoints to monitor the movement of anti-social elements, drug smugglers, and bootleggers.
In anticipation of the upcoming festival season, DGP Yadav also stressed the importance of increased police presence and vigilance in areas with high footfall, while ensuring minimal disruption to the general public. The officers were asked to maintain a fine balance between vigilance and public convenience.
Further, DGP Yadav directed all SSPs and CPs to prepare history sheets on known criminals, take decisive action against violent offenders, and employ technology to enhance crime detection. He urged them to regularly hold crime review meetings with their teams and ensure frequent inspections of police stations to improve overall efficiency and morale.
Punjab Police, CII host first-ever stakeholders conference on private security agencies regulation
In a step towards enhancing collaboration between private security agencies and law enforcement, Punjab Police, in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), hosted the first-ever Stakeholders Conference on the Private Security Agencies Regulation (PSAR) Act. The conference, held at CII Northern Region Headquarters, aimed at fostering cooperation between the private security industry and law enforcement to create a secure, regulated environment in Punjab. The event brought together key stakeholders, including Principal Secretary, Department of Home Affairs, Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, who inaugurated the conference. Addressing the gathering, Singh underscored the state’s commitment to updating the rules under the PSAR Act and ensuring compliance while providing the necessary support to private security agencies. He also commended the role of these agencies in generating employment for the youth, highlighting their growing importance in Punjab’s economic and social landscape.
