Capt Amarinder asks STF to go all out against drugs
Tuesday, 28/03/2017
http://epaper.dailypostindia.com/Details.aspx?id=175192&boxid=58933&uid=&dat=2017-03-28
Chandigarh : Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday asked the newly-constituted STF to go all out to wipe out the drugs scourge within the stipulated time of four weeks and not spare anyone found complicit in the trade.
The Special Task Force (STF) is headed by Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Harpreet Sidhu.
The Chief Minister gave a free hand to Sidhu to take all measures he deemed fit to rid the state of the menace which has destroyed a whole generation of Punjab’s youth under the erstwhile Badal regime, according to an official statement.
“The Chief Minister will, however, personally monitor the progress of the STF on a day-to-day basis to ensure that his government fulfils the drugs eradication promise within the four-week time-frame,” it said.
Sidhu formally took charge of the STF on Monday with a vow to deliver on the government’s promise. A 1992 batch IPS officer, he was engaged in anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh, where he was on CRPF deputation, before being called in to head the anti-drugs STF in Punjab.
He was the recipient of the President’s Medal for Gallantry Services in 2003.
The STF has been mandated with the task of day-to-day monitoring of the steps taken or to be taken to check the trading and consumption of drugs, particularly ‘chitta’ (synthetic drugs), in the state.
“Directing the STF to deal with the menace of drugs with an iron fist, the Chief Minister told a meeting of the top police brass, led by Sidhu, that his government was committed to fulfilling its poll promise of wiping out the problem within four weeks and would not tolerate any laxity in the matter,” the statement released by the Chief Minister’s Office added.
The STF has also been asked to take public help in identifying and arresting the traders and suppliers of drugs in the state.
“A 24x7 helpline service is in place and anyone can call on ‘181’ to report any drugs related incident with total protection of his identity,” it said.
