Bringing crime rate down priority: SSP

Gagandeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, July 22

Senior Superintendent of Police, Bathinda, Naveen Singla has said reducing the crime rate and maintaining the law and order situation in the district are the top priorities of the Bathinda police.

Talking to Bathinda Tribune, Singla said it had been four months since he took the charge as SSP. He said since then, the police had busted five gangs of thieves and burglars and close to 80 vehicles had been recovered.

The SSP also claimed to have solved major theft and loot cases.

SSP Singla said they were working to bring all chowks of the city under the surveillance of CCTV cameras, which would help them in reducing the crime rate in the city.

Talking about the security of banks and ATMs, SSP Singla said, “Police teams visit banks and ATMs that come under their jurisdiction. The police have also issued guidelines to various banks on the security. We have also instructed the banks and their ATMs to bring them under the surveillance of CCTV cameras.”

The SSP added that they had launched a campaign against drug peddlers and those involved in the trade of illicit liquor. Strict action was being taken against them, he added.

“The Bathinda police have arrested 311 persons with intoxicants and 254 cases have been registered under the NDPS Act in the past four months. In the first phase, we have managed to break the supply chain of peddlers. Now, in the second phase, we will nab the big fishes and soon we will get results.”

SSP Singla said, “We have also launched a crackdown on those who smuggle illicit liquor from Haryana and sell in the state, hitting the state revenue. We have arrested 456 persons with illicit liquor and 465 cases have been registered. As many as 90 vehicles, used for smuggling, have been confiscated. We are patrolling on the Punjab-Haryana border to check smuggling.”

Speaking on the Maur blast case, the SSP said the best teams of police officials were investigating the case on many theories from different angles and soon the accused would be held.

“The Bathinda police have started giving holidays to policemen on their birthday and marriage anniversary. Many more facilities have been provided to them. For their fitness, we have started a general parade on every Monday. I appeal to the residents that they should also cooperate with the police in giving right and exact information to reduce crime and maintain the law and order situation in the district,” the district top cop added.