Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla appreciated the State Police for their commendable services during natural disasters in the State and said that the way the work was done to evacuate people including tourists from the affected areas, the general public has gained faith and respect towards the police.
The Governor was addressing as a Chief Guest in the D.G.P. Disc Felicitation Ceremony at the historic Gaiety Theater in Shimla, today. He has presented D.G.P. Disc Awards to 334 police personnel for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022. This program was organized after three years.
While congratulating the awardees, the Governor said that the State Police and State Disaster Response Force have rescued more than 70,000 people including tourists of foreign countries from Kullu alone. Expressing concern over the growing illegal drug trade, he said that it was a big challenge to deal with it.
The State Government has made serious efforts against illegal drugs trade and was working to control and create awareness at its level, said Sh. Shukla. But, fear and surveillance of the police was very important and said that by controlling such anti-social elements within the ambit of law, we could save the youth power from this social evil.
The State police have also arrested drug peddlers with their continuous efforts and 23 cases of attachment of their illegally acquired property worth more than Rs. 13 crore have also been sent to the competent authority. In addition, 10 cases have been referred to the Enforcement Directorate for financial investigation as per the provisions of the Narcotics Act, he added.
The Governor expressed contentment that due to the tireless efforts of the State Police by using technology like Integrated Traffic Management System, there has been a huge reduction in the number of road accidents, injuries and deaths due to road accidents in 2023 as compared to the last several years across the State.
He said that the State Police has several achievements to its credit, including first position in India in Passport Verification, third position in implementation of Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System in the year 2022 and 11th position in implementation of Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System in the year 2020-2021.
He said that Himachal Pradesh Police is the 8th state police in India to have the honor of receiving the 'President's Colour' and secured first position in hilly and north eastern states. The state police is technically capable of dealing with the problem of cyber crime as well.
Director General of Police, Sanjay Kundu welcomed the Governor and said that many innovative efforts have been made in the state police, which were also being adopted by the police of other states. He said that special efforts have been made against drug abuse, reduction in road accidents, prevention of organized crime and welfare of police personnel.
To fulfill these objectives, every police personnel is working diligently, he added.Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order, Abhishek Trivedi presented a vote of thanks.Police Band 'Harmony of Pines' also performed on this occasion.
Mayor, Municipal Corporation Shimla, Surendra Chauhan, Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushal, senior police officers and former officers and other prominent people were also present on the occasion.