Act or face action' - In a clear-cut message to the cops, State Director- General of Police (DGP) Suresh Arora on Friday warned the force to pull its socks up or be prepared for a dressing down.
Alarmed over the spate in criminal activities in the recent past, the State police chief held a crucial meeting of the police's top rung at the Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur, in the morning.
The meeting was attended by Additional DGP (law and Order) Rohit Chaudhary, ADGP (Intelligence) Dinkar Gupta, all zonal Inspectors-General of Police (IGPs), all Police Commissioners, all Deputy Inspectors- General (DIG) of Police of ranges and all Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs).It has been learnt that the cumulative incidence of crimes like robberies, murders, brawls, among others, was discussed at length during the meeting that continued uninterrupted for hours together. The issue of unrelenting incidents of sacrilege was also discussed.
The all-officers meeting came a day after Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh held an exhaustive discussion with DGP Arora on the alleged deterioration in the law and order situation.Reportedly, the Chief Minister had issued categorical instructions to the State police chief to control the current worsening situation with an iron hand. He also directed strict action against officials for any laxity on their part.
Echoing the Chief Minister's instructions, the State police chief asked the officers to gird up their loins and work towards improving the situation.
Notably, in the last two days, a group of gangsters looted a cash van near Banur in broad daylight, while another robbed a bank in Muktsar.
That was not all! Incidents of clashes involving workers of political parties, with some ending in murders, were also reported from across the State.
The rival Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has all along been accusing the Congress of unleashing a "political vendetta" and alleging "murders" by the workers of the ruling party. The SAD was also accusing
Punjab police of acting at the behest of its political bosses and not taking action against them despite evidence.