The North News
Chandigarh, September 30
Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav on Tuesday directed officers across the state to remain on high alert against organised crime, drug trafficking and terrorism during the upcoming festive season. Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav chaired a state-wide law and order review today, joining senior officers down to the level of Station House Officers (SHOs) through video conference. He instructed the force to ensure peace, safety and harmony across Punjab, warning that no laxity would be tolerated. Yadav said officers had a “free hand” to act against gangsters and anti-social elements, adding that accountability would be fixed at every level. He praised the force for its success under the Yudh Nashian Virudh campaign, noting an 87% conviction rate in narcotics cases. The DGP urged police to strengthen investigations, trace supply chains, and use forensic analysis of seized phones to expose networks and arrest key suppliers. He also encouraged officials to use Section 64A of the NDPS Act to rehabilitate drug users caught with small quantities.
Yadav highlighted progress with the Safe Punjab anti-drugs chatbot, which has converted up to 35% of public inputs into police cases. To address staff shortages, he announced that 1,600 posts had been created, including 150 inspectors and 450 sub-inspectors, with 3,400 new constable positions to be filled next year. On organised crime, he told officers to identify and arrest associates of gangsters, promising them full departmental protection. He reiterated the state government’s “zero tolerance” stance on corruption and stressed the need for citizen-focused policing, urging officers to meet people directly and hear their grievances. Senior officers from the Anti-Gangster Task Force and Counter Intelligence Wing also took part in the review.
