Punjab DGP calls for strict vigil ahead of Diwali

Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Tuesday directed district police chiefs to ensure maximum visibility and alertness of the force across the state ahead of Diwali, with special focus on active and strategic checkpoints.

The DGP, who reviewed the ongoing anti-drugs campaign ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’, said that Punjab Police had registered 21,707 FIRs and arrested 32,903 drug smugglers, including 2,533 suppliers, since March 1. “We have recovered 1,446 kg heroin, 475 kg opium, 25 tonnes of poppy husk, 35 kg charas, 511 kg ganja, 12 kg ICE, 3.6 kg cocaine, 39.29 lakh intoxicant tablets and Rs 13.39 crore in drug money,” he said.

The police have also frozen illegally acquired properties worth Rs 205 crore under Section 68F of the NDPS Act. As part of rehabilitation efforts, about 62,000 individuals have been referred to de-addiction or OOAT centres.

Briefing the media on the current security situation, the DGP stated, “Pakistan has been indulging in a proxy war by pushing narco-terrorism into Punjab. In the last few days, Pakistan has been trying to create disturbance in Punjab by pushing drugs and weapons, but Punjab Police have been actively and successfully foiling their nefarious designs.”

He said Pakistan had been using drones and other means to transport narcotics and weapons. “The anti-drone systems deployed by the Punjab Government are being used effectively to counter this aerial threat,” Yadav added.