Jahan Khela (Hoshiarpur), March 2:
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday unequivocally said that gangsters, smugglers, criminals and other anti-social elements have no place on the sacred land of Punjab and they will soon be wiped out from the state.
Addressing the gathering during the passing out parade of 2490 cops here today, the Chief Minister said that this pious land has produced saints, seers, martyrs, legendary players and generals. However, he said that unfortunately under the patronization of the earlier governments the smugglers, gangsters and other criminals have made this state their abode. But, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has now started a crusade to weed out these anti-national elements adding that they will be behind the bars soon.
The Chief Minister said that the state is at a historic juncture as the Punjab government has launched a decisive war against drugs in the state. He said that the state government has adopted a zero tolerance policy against drugs and Punjab will be made completely drug free with the active support and cooperation of the general public. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the supply line of the drugs is being snapped, drug peddlers are being put behind the bars and the properties of the drug smugglers are being confiscated/ razed adding he expressed that the new cops will become an integral part in the war against the drugs.
The Chief Minister said that being a border state a number of forces inimical to state have been chalking out nefarious designs to disturb hard earned peace of state but the Punjab Police has always foiled such attempts. He said that to further overcome major challenges faced by the state it is imperative that the Police force is updated as per advanced requirements in the field of investigation, science and technology. Bhagwant Singh Mann expressed hope that the Punjab Police will uphold the glorious legacy of serving the people with utmost professional commitment.
Congratulating the new cops, the Chief Minister said that it is a momentous occasion for them as they have become an integral part of the Punjab Police family. He exhorted the cops to discharge their duty with utmost dedication, hard work and commitment thereby contributing immensely in the progress of the state and prosperity of its people. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the cops must play a proactive role in mitigating the woes of the general public and delivering justice to them.
The Chief Minister called upon the newly inducted cops to play a proactive role in wiping out the menace of drugs from the state. He said that Punjab is fighting the nation’s war against drugs and the Punjab Police has always acted as a barrier for checking its supply. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that now the time has come when the cops should uphold the glorious tradition of Punjab Police for weeding out the scourge of drugs from the state.
The Chief Minister warned the fissiparous forces that their evil designs to create communal strife would be nipped in the bud. He said that the social bonding in the state is so strong that any seed could grow on the fertile land of Punjab but the seed of hatred will never germinate here at any cost. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that though futile attempts are being made to disturb hard earned peace of state, the bond of love, harmony and peace will be further cemented by Punjabis.
The Chief Minister said that since 2022 more than 10,000 youngsters have been appointed in the Police force to update the force. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has also decided to recruit 10,000 new cops in Punjab Police for which necessary clearance will be given by the cabinet soon. He said that the state government is committed to upgrade the police force of the state on scientific lines to enable it to combat the criminals effectively.
The Chief Minister said that the state Government has launched the first of its kind initiative in the country, a dedicated Sadak Surakhya Force to ensure enhanced security and to save precious lives on the State and National Highways. He said that specially trained, freshly recruited 1597 personnel including girls are acting as the backbone to this force, who have been provided with the latest, fully equipped 144 vehicles and since its launch in February last year the state has witnessed a 48.10% reduction in casualties due to accidents. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that force has been deployed all along 4200 km of the Highways, prone to traffic accidents adding that in addition to patrolling in the assigned areas, they act as a deterrent for traffic violations and more adding that even the Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had hailed this initiative of the state government in the Parliament of India.
The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that spread over 155 acres Jahan Khela campus is equipped with state of the art training facilities. He said that due to this only, forces from other states come here to get training for the cops. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the mode of crime has changed so Punjab Police is being updated due to which specialized training is imparted here.
The Chief Minister said that now these youth have become integral part of the government adding that now should serve the people with missionary zeal. Bhagwant Mann hoped that the new recruits will use their pen for helping the needy and underprivileged sections of society. He said that the newly recruited youth should ensure maximum welfare of the public so that every section of society is benefited from it.
