Punjab police raids 205 arms act offenders

In order to ensure peaceful celebrations of forthcoming Independence Day as desired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police on Thursday launched a crackdown against the anti-social elements and conducted simultaneous raids at premises of people involved in over three cases under Arms Act in last three years.

The raids were carried out on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav as part of the ongoing special operations in wake of forthcoming Independence Day.

Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla said that the day-long operation was conducted across the state in a synchronised manner and all the CPs/SSPs were asked to depute sufficient number of police teams under the supervision of gazetted rank officer to check the whereabouts of these persons.

He said that as many as 120 Police parties, involving over 1000 police personnel, have conducted raids at premises of at least 205 persons, who have been facing more than three cases under the Arms Act in last three years.

The Special DGP said that the purpose to carry out this operation was to know the whereabouts of such persons, besides, ensuring that they have returned to the mainstream lifestyle.

He informed that over 400 strong nakas have been installed across the state to keep vigil around anti-social elements.

Apart from this, Police teams have continued its drive against drugs on 159th day, and conducted raids at 388 locations on Thursday leading to the arrest of 128 drug smugglers after registration of 82 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 25,063 within 159 days.

The Special DGP said that the raids have resulted in recovery of 1.4 kg heroin, 3.7 kg opium, and 12,655 intoxicant pills from the possession of arrested drug smugglers.

He informed that over 120 Police teams, comprising over 1100 police personnel, under the supervision of 76 gazetted officers have conducted raids across the state and checked as many as 418 suspicious persons during the day long operation.

The Special DGP said that with the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)— to eradicate drugs from the state, the Punjab Police as part of ‘De-addiction’ has convinced 62 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.