More search operations in city; 50 held

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 24

In order to bring the crime rate down and tighten the noose around drug traffickers, the city police carried out search operations in areas including the local bus stand, Maqboolpura and the housing board colony near Ranjit Avenue here today.

Maqboolpura is one of the areas infamous for rampant drug abuse and bootlegging. Many of its male members had lost their lives to the menace in the past. Areas around the housing board colony are also suspected for drug trafficking.

During the search operation, the city police held around 50 persons for suspicious activities and several of them were later let off after verifying their antecedents.

Talking to this reporter, Deputy Commissioner of Police (investigations) Jagmohan Singh said the police were verifying the antecedents of remaining persons who were rounded up for suspicious activities.

A number of nakas were being put up in various parts of the city and these were being supervised by the DCP. He said additional police force from the Indian Reserve Battalion and the Punjab Armed Police has been deputed at these nakas. Vehicles entering and exiting the city were being checked.

The city police have been facing flak over the repeated instances of snatching and robberies besides firing in various parts of the city. Police Commissioner G Nageshswara Rao expressed his displeasure to the police officials during a meeting held a day before yesterday. Passing on the instructions given by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh for curbing drug trafficking, he also ordered them to roll up their sleeves and nail the criminal elements, especially the snatchers and robbers.

Repeated instances of snatchings and robberies have been haunting the local residents while these are proving to be a thorn in the flesh of the Police Department.

Jagmohan Singh said that checking crime and rampant drug abuse is on the priority list of the city police and appropriate measures are being taken to achieve this.