Faridkot, Moga get high-tech policing boost

In order to develop robust police infrastructure as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav on Tuesday inaugurated slew of developments projects in Faridkot and Moga during his visit to both the districts to review the ongoing ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ anti-drugs campaign.

The DGP has inaugurated three projects in Faridkot including state-of-the-art Cyber Crime Police Station, a Conference Hall equipped with hi-tech gadgets and a Briefing hall with seating capacity of 250 persons, while, a futuristic Smart Police Control Room has been inaugurated in Moga district. The DGP was accompanied by Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Faridkot Range Ashwani Kapur.

DGP Gaurav Yadav, while interacting with the media in Faridkot, said that the Cyber Crime Police Station— equipped with advanced digital forensic tools, has been established to address online financial fraud, identity theft, and cyberbullying. The Faridkot Police has already returned 260 lost mobile phones to owners and reimbursed Rs 90 lakhs to cyber fraud victims, he added.

Appreciating the extra ordinary efforts of the Faridkot Police in making Yudh Nashian Virudh campaign a huge success, the DGP said that Faridkot Police with the support and cooperation of the public has developed a meticulous follow-up system and have arrested over 300 drug peddlers since the launch of the special drive on March 1, 2025. Faridkot is the top district which has registered maximum first information reports (FIRs) following the tips on the Punjab Government’s Safe Punjab Anti-Drug Helpline ‘9779100200’.

He also joined the ‘Bada Khana’ lunch organised by the Faridkot Police, which provided an opportunity to officers of all ranks to interact with the Head of the Police Force and exchange ideas, thereby strengthening the bond that is essential for effective teamwork in the field.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Farikot Dr Pragya Jain apprised the DGP that under the 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' campaign, Faridkot Police has arrested over 300 drug peddlers after registration of 150 FIRs and recovered 4.7 kg heroin, 3Kg opium, 130 kg poppy husk, Rs 3.83 lakh drug money. Property worth more than Rs 5 crores have been freezed under 68F NDPS giving a considerable blow to drug network in District Faridkot, she added.

The DGP has also engaged with citizens of Faridkot during a public outreach under “Yudh Nashian Virudh” and solicited their support in fight against drugs.

In Moga, DGP Gaurav Yadav, while inaugurating the Smart Police Control Room, said that this facility is equipped with cutting edge surveillance systems and advanced monitoring technologies which will enhance crime prevention, monitor suspicious activities, and aid in tracing criminal elements effectively.

He said that Moga Police has installed 140 surveillance cameras— including 107 Bullet cameras and 33 Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras—in Moga City, Baghapurana, and Dharamkot. These are AI-enabled cameras, which will also monitor inter-district checkpoints, he said.

He also announced to install additional 100 CCTV cameras across Nihal Singh Wala, Baghapurana, and Dharamkot sub-divisions.

The DGP has also interacted with the police officers posted as SHOs and DSPs/SPs in district Moga and reviewed the progress on the Punjab Government’s ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ by taking their suggestions for improvements in enforcement and prevention strategies.

SSP Moga Ajay Gandhi, while thanking the DGP for announcing the installation of 100 more CCTV cameras in the district, said that these cameras will be installed with focus on drug hotspots and inter-district roads to prevent the street crime and keep vigil around drug smugglers.

Sharing outcomes of Yudh Nashian Virudh campaign, the SSP said that Moga police has arrested 282 drug peddlers after registering 171 FIRs and recovered 6.2 kg heroin, 148 kg poppy husk, 12 lakh intoxicant pills and Rs 3.11 lakh drug money from their possession.

Meanwhile, the DGP also honoured high-performing officials and personnel of Faridkot and Moga Police with DGP Commendation Discs and appreciation letters to encourage and motivate them to perform their duties more effectively.