Punjab News : To ensure a peaceful Independence Day celebration as instructed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police have strengthened security statewide, with all field units directed to remain on high alert.
Following orders from Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav, police teams conducted simultaneous flag marches in sensitive areas across all 28 districts, followed by cordon and search operations (CASOs) at vulnerable locations.
Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla stated that CPs and SSPs led these flag marches in critical areas to boost public confidence and prepare personnel to handle any untoward incidents. Additionally, the CPs/SSPs oversaw special CASOs at crowded locations such as railway stations, bus stands, markets, shopping malls, and public parks. Police personnel were strictly instructed to remain polite and courteous while frisking individuals during these operations.
Around 250 police teams, totaling over 1,500 personnel, were deployed across the state to identify suspicious individuals while minimizing inconvenience to the public.
Alongside security preparations, police continued their ongoing anti-drug CASO operations. On Day 165, raids were conducted at 374 locations, resulting in the arrest of 73 drug smugglers and filing of 53 FIRs, bringing the total number of arrests to 25,719 in 165 days. These operations also led to the seizure of 2.4 kg of heroin and ₹42,800 in drug money.
Over 120 police teams, including more than 1,100 personnel supervised by 73 gazetted officers, checked 406 suspicious individuals during the day-long operations.
As part of the state government’s three-pronged Enforcement, De-addiction, and Prevention (EDP) strategy to eliminate drugs, Punjab Police facilitated 61 individuals to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment on Wednesday.