Chandigarh, April 21
Punjab Police has arrested more than 22,000 people, including 461 associates of gangsters, over the past three months under its anti gangster drive ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’, officials said on Monday, highlighting an intensified crackdown on organized crime across the state.
The drive, launched on January 20, has resulted in 62,302 raids conducted till April 19, leading to the arrest of 915 proclaimed offenders. The operation aims to dismantle organized crime networks by targeting gangsters and their logistical, financial, and communication support systems.
Officials said preventive action has been a key component of the campaign, with 10,254 persons detained, including 444 associates and 9,810 wanted individuals.
The operation has also led to significant recoveries of arms and explosives. Police seized 408 firearms, 148 sharp-edged weapons, 1,197 rounds of ammunition, 122 magazines, 2.5 kg of explosives and six hand grenades during this period.
Large quantities of narcotics were also recovered, including 378.45 kg of heroin, 301.947 kg of opium, 2,838.77 kg of poppy husk, 12,37,318 intoxicant tablets, 7,373.82 grams of intoxicant powder, 101.459 kg of ganja and 790 grams of ice. Authorities also confiscated drug money worth Rs 1.05 crore.
“The ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ operation is not limited to identifying gangs or their networks. Its main aim is to eliminate the existence of gangs from Punjab,” Additional Director General of Police, Anti Gangster Task Force, Promod Ban said. He said the operation has covered all districts, villages and cities, leading to the busting of several local gangster networks and disruption of their funding channels.
Within three months, the operation has achieved massive success. Not only gangsters, but even those supporting them are now wary of the consequences. The scale of arrests, recoveries and police involvement reflects the success of the drive,” he added. The state government has designed the operation as a comprehensive action against organized crime, drawing from ongoing anti-drug campaigns. The use of technology, including artificial intelligence, has been integrated to track and monitor criminal activities.
An anti gangster helpline has also been launched to encourage public participation and reward credible information. Officials said the operation has helped solve multiple cases and led to arrests linked to crimes across states, adding that the crackdown will continue with greater vigilance to curb organized crime in Punjab.
