The two-day long special operation ‘OPS Vigil’ against drugs and anti-social elements launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has achieved a great success after Punjab Police have registered as many as 177 first information reports (FIRs) against anti-social elements and drugs smugglers across the state.
Pertinently, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav on Tuesday had himself gone to Ludhiana Bus Stand to lead the entire Punjab Police force from the front to carry out this multi-pronged checking and area domination programme, which commenced at 10am on Tuesday.
ADGP/IGP rank officers from Punjab Police Headquarters had also remained camped at their assigned Police districts to personally supervise the operation. The CPs/SSPs were directed to mobilise at least 75 percent of the force to carry out this operation.
Divulging more details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla said that Police teams have also recovered 2.5Kg heroin and over three quintals of poppy husk, besides, recovering other narcotics, Pharma drugs and huge quantity of illicit liquor and lahan (raw material used to make liquor) during the statewide operation.
He said that over 17500 Police Personnel under the supervision of Gazetted rank officers conducted checks at 185 railways stations, 230 bus stands, 1198 Hotels/Sarais and 715 Market Places/Malls across the state. During the operation, as many as 3405 suspected people were rounded up for questioning.
Apart from this, as many as 79 inter-state and 318 inter-district hi-tech nakas were also set-up in the state for a thorough search of suspected vehicles/persons, while ensuring minimum inconvenience to the general public, said the Special DGP while adding that Police teams have issued challans to at least 1596 vehicles, besides, impounding 60 vehicles.
Similarly, Police teams have also reviewed security at 6233 Gurdwaras, 2376 Temples, 517 Churches and 425 Mosques to ensure that CCTV cameras are installed and are in working condition.
Special DGP Arpit Shukla said that the purpose behind conducting this statewide operation was to boost public confidence and increase the presence of the cops to deter anti-social elements. Police teams have carried out at least 221 Flag Marches across the state during this two-day long operation, he added.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann lauded the efforts of Punjab Police and said that the Punjab Police is committed to maintaining peace and communal harmony in the border State.