The North News
Chandigarh, February 25
Punjab Chief Minister has said the state police force is “not just Punjab’s police but the nation’s police”, as he pledged ₹1,100 crore for modernisation and highlighted a crackdown on drugs and cross-border threats allegedly backed by Pakistan. Addressing a passing-out parade at the Punjab Armed Police complex in Jalandhar, Bhagwant Singh Mann said the border state faced “daily attempts” to disturb peace through drone intrusions and anti-social elements.
“As a border state, Punjab has unique challenges,” he said, adding that the police had to guard the international frontier and counter what he described as Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.
A total of 2,577 personnel formally joined the force at the ceremony, marking the completion of their basic training. The chief minister said more than 12,000 police personnel had been recruited since March 2022, calling it a record drive under his government.
Mann said ₹1,100 crore had been earmarked to upgrade the force “on scientific lines”, including the integration of artificial intelligence, specialised technical units and a strengthened Anti-Narcotics Task Force.
He said the new recruits had trained at institutions including the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Police Academy in Phillaur and other state training centres.
The chief minister said Punjab was the first state to induct a large number of technical experts directly into the police force, including sub-inspectors with expertise in IT, forensics and financial investigation.
According to Mr Mann, the Bureau of Investigation wing has also recruited legal officers, forensic specialists and IT professionals to tackle cybercrime, terrorism and financial fraud.
He said the government had introduced AI-based systems to enhance efficiency and investigation standards.
Turning to the state’s anti-drug drive, known as ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’, Mann said more than 50,000 arrests had been made since its launch last year, with significant quantities of heroin, opium and poppy husk seized. He said the Anti-Narcotics Task Force had been modernised and that supply chains had been disrupted. De-addiction centres were providing free counselling and medication, alongside awareness campaigns in schools and villages.
Punjab has long struggled with drug trafficking, much of it alleged to originate across the border.
The chief minister also highlighted the Sadak Surakhya Force, a dedicated road safety unit equipped with 146 vehicles. He said it had reduced accident-related fatalities and achieved an average response time of just over six minutes.
Referring to recent attacks in which two police personnel were killed, Mann said those responsible had been arrested and described them as “Pakistan-sponsored elements” attempting to demoralise the force.
He said the government was committed to preserving peace in the state and would continue to equip the police to meet emerging threats.
During the ceremony, the chief minister inspected the parade, took the ceremonial salute and presented awards to top-performing cadets. Punjab’s director general of police, Gaurav Yadav, also attended the event.
