Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has ordered the formation of a special and dedicated police force for action against gangsters. He has
directed DGP Punjab VK Bhawra to establish a full-fledged Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) headed by ADGP rank officer.
Chairing a high level meeting of police department, Bhagwant Mann emphasized the need on eradication of organized crime adding he said ensuring law & order in the state is the foremost priority in order to restore people’s confidence in the police machinery. He assured of all requisite manpower, latest equipment and information technology besides adequate funds to the police force to break this unholy nexus which has already spread its wings in drug trade and the kabaddi world.
Pointing out further, the Chief Minister said that AGTF would have integrated collection of intelligence, manning and execution of operations, registrations of FIRs, investigation and prosecution on the lines of similar such specialized units in the country.
Directing the CPs and SSPs to make coordinated efforts against organised crimes, Bhagwant Mann said that new police stations with state-wide jurisdiction over organised crime would be soon notified with a sole motive to allay the fear from the minds of general public about the terror unleashed by the gangsters.
Mann categorically said that he has already instructed the Jail department to keep strict vigil over the activities of gangsters lodged in various jails in the state and no laxity would be tolerated in this regard.
Sharing his personal experience to bring down the crime rate drastically in Sangrur district, Mann said as MP he took an initiative to install Wi-Fi CCTV cameras connected with the local police stations in the major towns of the district from his MPLAD Fund. “Hi-resolution cameras were installed under this project at a nominal cost which enabled round the clock surveillance and instilled a feeling of security amongst the general public”, said Bhagwant Mann.
Bhagwant Mann also asked all the police officers posted in field as well as headquarters to maintain punctuality and discipline so as to win over the trust and confidence of people. He said these qualities would ultimately help the police force to improve its image.
CM to meet farmers’ leaders today
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will have his first crucial meeting with the leaders of Bhartiya Kisan Union (EKTA Ugrahan) here on Tuesday afternoon.
The meeting is being held in the backdrop of the the recent incident in Muktsar wherein members of BKU (EKTA Ugrahan) and Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union had held revenue officers captive as some farmers in Muktsar were allegedly ignored in giving compensation for the damage to cotton crop last year.
