On the opposition’s target for increasing incidents of violence from different parts of the State, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday made it clear to the Commissioners of Police (CPs) and the Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) that they have to play a front role in the war against gangsters by personally conducting operations and interrogations.
The Chief Minister, in a strongly-worded letter addressed to all CPs and SSPs, clarified that the constitution of the Anti-Gangster Task Force did not, in any way, reduce or lessen their responsibility and role, and they would be held responsible for controlling crime and maintenance of law and order in their jurisdictions.
Mann, in his letter, said that the best leaders lead by example and Punjab Police has a gallant tradition of professionalism and service to the nation.
Expressing confidence in the police force, Mann said that it would rise to the occasion and launch a concerted drive to eradicate the menace of gangsterism in the State and these valiant officers as leaders of the force would play important roles.
Referring to the law and order review meeting held on April 5, Mann outlined his government’s topmost focus to maintain law and order, apart from the eradication of corruption and welfare measures for the police force. Besides, he also announced the constitution of the Anti Gangster Task Force (AGTF) to eradicate gangsterism from the state.
Elaborating further, Bhagwant Mann made it absolutely clear that the constitution of the AGTF in no way would reduce or lessen the responsibility and role of CPs and SSPs heading the Police Commissionerates and Districts, as both are responsible for the control of crime and maintenance of law and order in their jurisdictions. “You will be personally held responsible for any breach of law and order in your jurisdiction as you are accountable under law”, asserted the Chief Minister.
PROMOD BAN POSTED AS ADGP AGTF
Taking administrative measures towards strengthening law and order machinery across the state, the Punjab government has posted the state Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Special Crimes and Economic Offences Wing, Promod Ban as Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) ADGP. Assistant Inspector General (AIG), Organised Crime Control Unit (OCCU), Gurmeet Singh Chauhan has been posted as AIG AGTF, while Ludhiana Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar has been posted as AGTF DIG. Besides, Kharar Deputy Superintendent of Police Bikramjit Singh Brar has been given additional charge of AGTF DSP. The Standing Order (SO) for the functioning of AGTF laying down its role, functions, and responsibilities as short-term measures has already been taken, said the spokesperson.
AGTF ASKED TO IDENTIFY, SUSPEND COPS NEGLIGENT IN HANDLING PROBE OF RECENT MURDERS
Alarmed over the series of murders that took place recently in Punjab, the state Police department has asked the newly-constituted AGTF to identify and suspend the police officials, who have been negligent in handling the investigation of recent murders. Taking punitive measures, the Police Department has sought immediate analysis of 18-19 murders that have recently taken place. The task for identification and suspension of police officials, who have been negligent in handling the investigation of recent murders, has been assigned to the AGTF team, said the spokesperson.