CHANDIGARH, December 20:
In a relentless pursuit to eradicate the drug menace from Punjab as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police on Saturday conducted a statewide Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) at identified drug Hotspots— the points of sale of drugs and psychotropic substances— across the state as part of the Yudh Nashian Virudh, marking the 294th day of the intensified anti-drug campaign.
The CASO was conducted simultaneously from 11 am to 3 pm in all 28 Police districts of the state on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav. Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has asked the Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendent of Police to make Punjab drug free state. The Punjab government has also constituted a 5-member Cabinet Sub Committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to monitor the war against drugs.
Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla, who was personally overseeing the operation, police teams have conducted raids at 494 drug hotspots across the state leading to arrest of 153 persons after registration of 132 first information reports (FIRs). Over 700 Police teams, comprising over 5000 police personnel, under the supervision of 162 gazetted officers have successfully conducted this operation, he said.
The Special DGP said that police teams have also recovered 1.5 kg heroin, 1 kg opium, 500 grams Ganja, 5 kg poppy husk, 1310 intoxicant tablets/capsules and Rs 32000 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers.
Meanwhile, during the operation, police teams have also conducted checking of 173 Bus Stands and 120 Railway Stations across the state.
