Punjab Police Crackdown: Securing Elections and Combating Crime

Punjab's DGP Gaurav Yadav has directed field officers to intensively curb extortion, theft, and drug-related crimes ahead of the October 15 panchayat elections. Emphasizing the need for CCTV monitoring and prompt FIR registration, Yadav aims for violence-free, fair elections while combatting the drug menace with stringent measures.

Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav has issued directives for field officers to clamp down on crimes, including extortion and theft, to ensure citizen safety ahead of the panchayat elections on October 15. An official statement released Thursday outlines these security measures.

At a meeting in Sangrur with Deputy Inspector General (Patiala Range) Mandeep Singh Sidhu, Yadav emphasized the importance of immediate FIR registration for petty crimes, advocating for transparency and accountability among police ranks. This meeting covered Patiala Range's districts: Patiala, Malerkotla, Sangrur, and Barnala.

To bolster efforts against the drug trade, Yadav announced plans for enhanced CCTV coverage at crime hotspots and the establishment of control rooms for real-time surveillance. He urged district police chiefs to apply the NDPS Act rigorously and use the new Safe Punjab Anti-Drug Helpline to act on anonymous tips.

(With inputs from agencies.)