Adopting a zero-tolerance policy against drugs and corruption, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has pinned the responsibility of maintaining a corruption, drugs and crime free society on the SPs and DCs in the state, directing them to go after the big fish among drug peddlers, gangsters and other criminals.Two days after his council of ministers decided to come down heavily on drugs and other mafias, as well as corruption, in the state, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh made it clear to the district and police officials that his government would follow a zero tolerance policy against drugs, corruption, mafia and crime. Chairing his first meeting with the officials after taking over the reins of Punjab’s governance, his warned against any laxity on this count.The government would hold top officers of the district administration directly accountable for any cases of corruption, illegal mining, illegal transport, registration of false cases, non-registration of FIRs, traffic violations, street crimes and bootlegging, the chief minister told the meeting, taking a no-nonsense approach.The chief minister directed the officers to lead from the front and carry out raids/measures under their personal supervision to eliminate drug and mining mafias within the next four weeks.
Captain Amarinder sent out a strong warning to the police on the issue of drugs, saying that Police Commissioners, Senior Superintendents of Police, Sub-Divisional Police Officers (DSP Sub-Division) and SHOs would be held directly accountable for supply and sale of drugs in their jurisdiction. He said he was personally aware of complaints of corruption against field officers of various ranks, including DSP and SHOs, in handling of drug cases in the past, which is non-pardonable. He would ensure swift and severe punishment if any such case came to his notice in the future, he warned.Reiterating his commitment to the elimination of drug mafia and drug control as his government’s first priority, the chief minister said the government has a zero tolerance policy for drugs smugglers/suppliers/traders/peddlers. Therefore, any laxity or nexus or complaints of corruption on part of the district administration (civil/police officers or any other officer from any government department) would be viewed very seriously, and severe punitive action would follow, he warned.Identifying prevention of terrorist crime as another key priority of his government, Captain Amarinder directed all CPs and SSPs to make all-out efforts to trace previous cases of terrorist crime, such as the Maur bomb blast (31st January), and the killings of leaders of the RSS and other organizations/sects in Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Khanna.
Emphasising his government’s full commitment to the maintenance of communal harmony in the state, and to prevent any sacrilege in any place, the chief minister said DCs and CPs/SPs would be held responsible for any such incidents in their respective areas. He directed the officials to ensure immediate installation of CCTV cameras through community participation and engagement, and custody management of sacred religious books where no CCTV cameras are installed.He further directed the officers to take all measures for the prevention of organized crimes by criminal gangs active in the state, directing them to crack down on such gangs in a big way, without delay.Referring to the false cases and FIRs registered under the previous regime, Captain Amarinder said while the Commission of Enquiry which the cabinet had decided to establish would do its work, he expected the officers to ensure that there is no registration of false cases and free and fair registration of cases is ensured. While there would be no vendetta, such things must end immediately, he asserted.While assuring them of the full support of his government to ensure a safe and secure Punjab, Captain Amarinder made it clear that he expected the highest standards of public conduct, propriety, punctuality and discipline from the officers, whom he described as the “brightest and best in our young team.”