As part of the ongoing drive to make Punjab a drug-free state as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police on Monday conducted a massive state-level Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) at identified drug hotspots and vulnerable areas in all the 28 Police districts of the state. The operation was conducted on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav.
The operation was conducted from 8am to 2pm simultaneously across the state and Spl DGP/ADGP/IGP/DIG rank officers from Punjab Police Headquarters were deputed in each Police district to personally supervise the operation. The CPs/SSPs were told to plan this operation in a meticulous manner by identifying drug Hotspots— the points of sale of drugs and psychotropic substances in their respective districts or certain areas which have become shelter/safe haven for drug peddlers, to carry out this operation amid massive deployment of the police force.
Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla, who joined Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ravjot Kaur Grewal in Fatehgarh Sahib, said that the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, Prevention and Rehabilitation— to eradicate drugs from the state. He said that the Punjab Police has not been leaving any stone unturned to make Punjab free from drugs.
“These kinds of CASOs at a mass-scale level not only help in infusing fear among anti-social elements but also boost public confidence and increase the presence of the cops in the field,” he said. The Special DGP said that over 600 Police teams, comprising over 9000 police personnel, have cordoned off as many as 268 drug hotspots and as many as 5505 suspicious persons were frisked.
During the operation, the Police registered 202 first information reports (FIRs) after arresting 48 persons, besides, apprehending 21 Proclaimed Offenders (POs), he said. Sharing outcomes, Spl DGP Arpit Shukla said that Police teams have recovered 1.9-Kg Heroin, ₹6.80 lakh drug money, 1.1-kg opium, 87.5kg poppy husk, 10125 intoxicant tablets, 18 injections, 885 litres of illicit liquor and 12350 litres lahan, besides, impounding 16 motorcycles and one car. Meanwhile, the operation was conducted after the identification of drug hotspots through data analysis by district police forces.