By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide
Chandigarh: After making significant progress in its anti-drugs अभियान Yudh Nashean Virudh, the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab government on Tuesday launched ‘Gangstara Te War’, a large-scale offensive aimed at eliminating gangsterism from the state.
Announcing the initiative, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said a 72-hour-long statewide operation, Operation Prahaar, is currently underway. As part of the crackdown, over 2,000 police teams comprising more than 12,000 personnel are conducting raids at locations linked to associates of 60 identified foreign-based gangsters across Punjab.
Addressing a press conference at the Punjab Police Officers Institute here, the DGP reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy against gangsterism. He said the campaign is designed to dismantle the entire ecosystem that sustains organised crime, including financing networks, logistics, safe houses, arms supply chains and communication systems.
“The Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has declared a well-strategised war against gangsters with the clear intent of eradicating gangsterism in all its forms,” Yadav said.
Warning criminals operating from abroad, the DGP said foreign-based gangsters should not consider themselves beyond the reach of the law. “They will be brought back to Punjab to face legal action,” he said.
Punjab Police have identified 60 gangsters operating from foreign locations, allegedly running criminal activities in the state through local associates. To expedite their return, the state police has set up an Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC), headed by DIG Counter Intelligence Ashish Choudhary.
The DGP said Red Corner Notices have already been issued or are in process against 23 gangsters, while notices for the remaining 37 will be completed within the next three months.
Appealing to the youth, Yadav urged those who have been misled to abandon crime and rejoin the mainstream. “Foreign-based gangsters sit safely abroad and lure young people with small sums of money to commit serious crimes. Crime does not pay,” he said, warning that strict action would be taken against those who refuse to reform.
The DGP also launched an Anti-Gangster Helpline (93946-93946), allowing citizens to anonymously share information related to gangsters and criminal activities. He said cash rewards of up to ₹10 lakh would be given for information leading to arrests.
The Punjab government has approved a ₹10 crore reward policy, under which SSPs can sanction rewards up to ₹1 lakh, CPs and DIGs up to ₹1.5 lakh, wing heads up to ₹2 lakh, while the DGP can approve higher amounts. Rewards will be granted to members of the public as well as police personnel involved in successful operations under the NDPS Act or against organised crime.
