Reasserting an uncompromising stand against drugs and organised crime, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday directed the entire senior police leadership to escalate enforcement and ensure that the rule of law prevails without exception across the state.
Chairing a high-level review meeting with Commissioners of Police, Inspector Generals (IG), Deputy Inspector Generals (DIG) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) who joined the meeting virtually, the Chief Minister underscored that ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ and ‘Gangsteraan Te Vaar’ remain the Punjab Government’s foremost priorities and must culminate in the complete eradication of the drug menace and gangster networks from their very roots.
Calling for sharper coordination, stricter accountability and visible outcomes on the ground, the Chief Minister reiterated that the AAP Government is firmly committed to safeguarding the safety and security of ordinary citizens. He emphasised that while enforcement would remain relentless, long-term protection of Punjab’s youth also hinges on expanding employment opportunities, strengthening education and institutionalising career counselling so that young people are shielded from falling prey to drugs and crime.
Addressing the officers, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Punjab Police has a glorious legacy of combating such challenges and the need of the hour is to uphold this heritage by eliminating the drug menace and gangsters from the state, for which you all have to play a major role.”
Highlighting the progress achieved so far, the Chief Minister stated that with fulsome support and cooperation of the people, the two flagship drives of the state government, ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ and ‘Gangsteraan te Vaar’, have been successfully launched. He stated, “The results of both these drives aimed at making the state free from the curse of drugs and gangsters have been encouraging.”
He added, “Now the need of the hour is to give a final blow to both these maladies, for which every officer needs to play a proactive role.”
Emphasising strict monitoring, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “I will be personally monitoring the progress of these campaigns on a daily basis to ensure that the state is free from drug menace and gangsters.” He further said, “The work of every officer and official is under scrutiny and they will be duly rewarded for their good work and will be held accountable for any sort of lapse.” While patting the Punjab Police for remarkable work under both these campaigns, he added, “A lot more needs to be done, for which every one of you should work hard.”
Assuring whole-hearted support from the state government, the Chief Minister said, “There is no dearth of funds to equip the Punjab Police with the latest technology.” He also noted that the human resource, vehicle fleet and other infrastructure are being upgraded as per the needs of the department. Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The motive is very clear to ensure that Punjab Police is readily equipped to face any sort of challenge.”
Speaking on the law and order situation, the Chief Minister said, “With the concerted efforts of the state government, the law and order situation in Punjab is much better than the rest of the country.”
He added, “As compared to earlier regimes, there is a paradigm shift in the state as the Police force is no longer being used to register false cases.” Bhagwant Singh Mann further said, “It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that no patronization of the criminals is being done by the state government.”
The Chief Minister also asked the Civil and Police administration to start a massive drive to review arm licenses across the state to avert misuse. He said, “If any arm license is used for some crime, then the district authorities must immediately cancel that license.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann categorically added, “Any sort of laxity in this cause is totally unwarranted and undesirable. This drive should be planned meticulously and executed flawlessly.”
Stressing the need to keep youth engaged in constructive activities, the Chief Minister said, “As an idle mind is the devil’s workshop, the state government is trying to provide maximum employment to the youth so they remain away from social evils.”
Batting for checking the school dropout rate, especially in drug hotspot areas and among vulnerable groups, he said, “The Education department should be roped in to take remedial measures and check it.” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann also said, “A massive career counselling programme should be started in these vulnerable areas and hotspots.”
On the occasion, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, DGP Gaurav Yadav and other senior officers were also present.