The North News
Chandigarh, August 14
Punjab Police have stepped up security measures across the state ahead of India’s Independence Day celebrations, with all field units placed on high alert under instructions from chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. Director general of police Gaurav Yadav directed simultaneous flag marches in all 28 police districts, followed by cordon-and-search operations in areas deemed vulnerable. Special DGP for law and order, Arpit Shukla, said the marches – led by commissioners and senior superintendents – were designed to reassure the public while preparing officers to respond swiftly to any disturbance.
Police were ordered to conduct targeted searches at crowded locations including railway stations, bus stands, markets, shopping centres and parks. Officers were instructed to maintain a polite and friendly approach while frisking people. Around 250 teams, involving more than 1,500 personnel, were deployed to identify suspicious individuals while minimising disruption.
The operation coincided with the 165th day of the state’s anti-drug campaign. Police raided 374 locations, arresting 73 alleged traffickers and registering 53 FIRs. Since the drive began, 25,719 people have been arrested. Wednesday’s raids recovered 2.4kg of heroin and ₹42,800 in alleged drug money.
Shukla said more than 120 police teams, supervised by 73 gazetted officers, checked over 400 individuals during the latest crackdown. Under the government’s three-pronged enforcement, de-addiction and prevention strategy, 61 people agreed to begin rehabilitation programmes on the same day.
