Open House: Will search and cordon operations conducted by the police infuse people with a sense of security ?

Fear of law in drug peddlers, finally

Since the formation of AAP government in Punjab, a war has been waged against the drug peddlers and anti-social elements. Leading from the front, top cops are personally spearheading the massive drive to cordon off criminals indulging in heinous activities. Consequently, many gangsters and dreaded goons have been either eliminated or put behind the bars. Further, search operations are underway to nab anti-social elements which had gone into hiding. Apparently, senior police officers appear to have got a free hand to break the nexus between criminals and vested political interests. The purpose of the whole campaign is to create a safe and secure environment among the masses. Considering the stiff pressure on extortionists and drug peddlers, law-enforcing agencies (LEAs) seem to be in a commanding position at present. However, they need to remain alert and wholly empowered to discharge duties independently so that the mischief-mongers are kept in check. For regular surveillance, tech-savvy equipment and high-definition CCTV cameras be invariably installed and monitored at all vulnerable points. As lawlessness and terror hampers the overall development, a robust mechanism operating round the clock will instil confidence among humans to maximise output and live life free from danger. By all measures, the ongoing campaign launched by the administration is bound to create sense of security and stability, which is paramount for growth and societal peace.

Nirmaljit Singh Chatrath

Conduct searches, but in friendly way

Anti-social elements have spread in Punjab and the crime graph is rising. On the instructions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to eradicate drugs to make the state narcotics-free and establish law and order by eliminating the gangster culture, the new DGP with its senior officers conducted a massive search operation to nab anti-social elements. Earlier too, huge recoveries had been made and such special operations had been conducted to curb the crime graph. This time the police have launched an aggressive campaign against criminals with intent to make people feel secure. By conducting such exercises, a sense of security will definitely be infused in the residents. People should cooperate and support the police in their endeavour. However, residents' welfare societies should be taken into confidence before conducting any search operation. Police personnel should be instructed to deal with residents in a friendly manner while conducting a door-to-door search. The youth must also volunteer for these reform campaigns and movements. It should be our collective aim to make Punjab a drug-free state.

Shashi Kiran

More such operations needed to effect change

Despite large-scale transfers, be it in the administration or the police, in just four and a half months after the Aam Aadmi Party assumed power in the state, there hasn’t been much visible change on the ground. The incidents of snatching, robbery and other crimes haven't helped much in changing the perception that the government wants to, in people. In 2017, the SAD-BJP alliance faced a humiliating defeat due to the issue of drugs. Similarly, the Congress got the drubbing in the 2022 Assembly Elections on the same issue. Realising how serious the drug issue is, the AAP government recently directed the police to conduct cordon and search operations across the state to nab anti-social elements, especially drug peddlers. The move will certainly yield positive and effective results in future and create an atmosphere of confidence and security among the general public, provided the administration and the police work with an intent on a regular basis to make the state crime-free.

Rajat Kumar Mohindru

Improve operational efficiency, coordination

The cordon and search operation carried out by the district police is a welcome step. However, this shouldn't be the only step to create a sense of security among the residents. Such operations are desperately undertaken when all the units of the police setup lack operational efficiency and effective coordination among themselves. Intelligence network needs to be streamlined and strengthened to keep a close watch on the anti-social elements and other illegal activities. The police in-charge of each area should also evolve his/her own information network to take decisive action in coordination with higher authorities well before the criminals get organised. The accountably of erring police officials under whose jurisdiction illegal activities flourish should be fixed. The police force need to be modernised and equipped with technological upgrades. Staff members who show good results should be suitably rewarded to keep them motivated.

Jagdish Chander

Increase patrol at vulnerable areas

The increasing cases of killing, burglary, snatching, kidnapping, extortion, carjacking, online fraud and drug and liquor smuggling have instilled a sense of fear and insecurity among the residents of the state. It is heartening that now the police have launched a special drive against anti-social elements and drug peddlers. Recently, they nabbed a number of smugglers and recovered a large quantity of heroin and drug money from them, and registered FIRs under the NDPS Act. The police have also started screening in jails to check substance abuse among inmates. There should be no let up in patrolling at vulnerable sites. They should upgrade their infrastructure and ensure more personnel, PCR vehicles and CCTV cameras and replace the dysfunctional ones at crowded places. If any policeman is found guilty of dereliction of duty or conniving with anti-social elements, he should be held accountable and disciplinary action be taken against him. For the strict implementation of law, the police force should be kept free from political influence. Political parties and the public should cooperate with the local administration to bring the offenders to book. Residents should also be very particular about their own safety and that of their moveable and immoveable property.

Harinder Kaur

Insulate police from political interference

The deteriorating law and order in the state raises a concern. Incidents of murder, robbery, carjacking, kidnapping and, particularly drug smuggling, have been on the rise, leaving residents worried about their safety and security. Illicit drug trade has spread its tentacles in Punjab over the years. Despite the police action from time to time, this illicit business has not been checked. Thankfully, the AAP government has adopted a zero tolerance to drug menace. The district police recently conducted a massive operation and arrested several peddlers with intoxicants like heroin, sedatives and poppy husk along with drug money under the NDPS Act. The public should help the police in tightening the noose around these criminals. The government has also issued orders to forfeit the property of arrested smugglers to recover their ill-gotten money. The police department still needs radical reforms to take appropriate action and check unlawful activities in time. Sometimes, the police force is accused of laxity in taking action against the criminals or of alleged connivance. Disciplinary action should be initiated against the erring police personnel. The police administration should be insulated from political interference for its smooth functioning.

DS Kang

Plug info leak for

successful drives

The government has taken a bold step to conduct search operations across the state. Such steps are quite imperative to rid the society of anti-social elements which give rise to more and more crime, besides winning the trust of the masses by working for their betterment. The police should also work on ensuring highly confidential information, especially of raids and special operations, does not fall in the hands of anti-social persons. Responsible and trustworthy citizens should also be made a part of the decision-making committees to help the police nab culprits without wasting time and money. Drug lords and peddlers have their own nefarious designs. They catch the gullible people, especially youngsters, and brainwash them to follow the dark labyrinthine of drugs. Even many of the police and administrative officers work hand in glove with them to run the mill of drug-addiction. The government must take a strict action against such officials and set its bar to the highest level. At the same time, the honest and hardworking personnel can be rewarded with incentives and public recognition. This will motivate the cops to perform their duties with dedication and determination. That shall result in netting the culprits and consequently, the state of Punjab will become able to remove the tag of a drug-addicted state.

Simranjeet Singh Saini

Police need to set their house in order

Under the new government and the new DGP, though temporary, the police are making the right moves, epsecially the search operations, to keep a check on anti-social elements and drug traffickers. It should have been done much before. Unfortunately, drug peddlers, including women, are still quite active. There are black sheep in the police department also. Recently, when there was a raid conducted in the area of Adampur, some police personnel already tipped off drug traffickers. Therefore, nothing was achieved even when the area was cordoned off. Shockingly, some cops have been apprehended for indulging in drug trafficking and trade. Some are even addicted to it, with one of them dying in a Ludhiana hospital. In such a scenario, who will save the common man from notorious and anti-social elements? If the police become sincere and honest in their work of apprehending drug traffickers and stopping the drug trade in the state, people will certainly feel more secure.

DR JS Wadhwa

nab kingpins to keep

a check on crime

In most of the police raids, they nab conduits only, but fail to reach the mastermind of such crimes or those responsible for supplying such drugs. Unless local and state agencies with the help of the Central Government make efforts to reach such masterminds, nothing substantial is possible. The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment released an advertisement on May 5 to give the national award for outstanding services in the field of prevention of alcoholism and drug abuse to the best panchayat and the municipal corporation, but surprisingly no entry was received for this award. This proves that at the local level nothing concrete is being done by our institutions. Joint efforts of the local, state and Central Governments can go a long way in alleviating the menace.

Naresh Johar

QUESTION

Covid-19 seems to be raising its ugly head again with a steady rise in the positive cases in the past one week. Do you think it’s time that the authorities should enforce preventive measures to keep the infection rate in check?

Suggestions in not more than 200 words can be sent to [email protected] by Thursday (July 21)

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.