District police, STF to work in synergy to fight drug menace in Punjab

The drug menace is still grabbing the centre stage in Punjab politics even as the state Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has promised the people that he would rid the state off of this menace . Even as the opposition party Shrimoni Akali Dal has been opposing Captain Amarinder Singh-led government's move to curb the menace of drugs in the state, Punjab Director General of Police Suresh Arora said the district police and the STF will work in synergy to combat the drug menace and called upon all members of the force to work as one team to realise Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh’s vision of a drug-free Punjab. 

The DGP exhorted the police force to remain alert and vigilant against terrorism, organized crime and drugs, and to adopt technology aggressively to fight these problems. 

The DGP was chairing a review meeting of all Senior Superintendents of Police and Commissioners of Police in the state, which was also attended by other senior police officers, including DGP Intelligence Dinkar Gupta, DGP Special Task Force Mohd Mustafa and DGP Law and Order HS Dhillon. 

The meeting reviewed police strategy and actions to fight the threat of terrorism, along with organized crime and drugs. The progress on the implementation of the Crime and Criminal Tracking and Network System (CCTNS) was also reviewed for each district.  

READ | Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh Contradicts Rahul Gandhi Over Latter's 1984 Riots U-turn By Naming Congress Leaders Who Were Involved

The DGP asked the SSPs and the CPs to facilitate installation of CCTVs at public places and vital installations, and improve capacity building in anti-riot equipment and training, including body protection, cane-shields and non-lethal equipment.  

Dinkar Gupta presented the state’s security scenario before the meeting . Pointing out that Punjab was located on the international border with remnant terrorist elements still trying to foment trouble, especially with support from radicals based in North America and Europe, he underlined the need for the force to be in a state of vigilance and alertness. 

Hardeep Dhillon briefed the field officers about the preparedness to meet challenges on the law and order front in view of the forthcoming festival season. Mohd. Mustafa, while outlining the anti-drug strategy, stated that the entire police force would work under the leadership of the DGP in a synergised manner.  

During the meeting, the DGP unveiled a software designed by the Saanjh Consultant Prithpal Singh, under the supervision of DGP/Intelligence for analysis and tracking of proclaimed offenders.  

A detailed review of general crime, including crimes against persons and crimes against property, and discussion on untraced heinous cases was coordinated by Prabodh Kumar, Director, Bureau of Investigation. 

READ | WATCH: Punjab CM Amarinder Singh Criticizes Navjot Singh Sidhu