Capt’s war on drugs going at war-footing
Saturday, 01/04/2017
http://epaper.dailypostindia.com/Details.aspx?id=175382&boxid=59154&uid=&dat=2017-04-01
Chandigarh/New Delhi : With 240 tip-offs received in just two days of Punjab Police reactivating and advertising 181 helpline for drugs, the number of arrests in drug related cases has shot up to nearly 500.
Talking to media persons here, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said that anti-drugs campaign kick started by his government is yielding results and will get a further boost with the STF Chief Harpreet Sidhu taking charge.
Hailing the successful reactivation of 24X7 helpline, which had become defunct during rule of previous government, Amarinder said he has directed the police and intelligence departments to reach out to the people even more aggressively in coming days. The government has assured that the identity of anyone reporting on drugs related crime on the helpline will be protected.
The majority of tip-offs received related to information about sale points and people involved in drugs trade. CM reiterated that no drugs user will be harassed by police or other agencies involved in drugs crackdown.
To a question on the issue of VIP security, Chief Minister reiterated his commitment to pruning security in future aswell.
An official spokesperson from Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) disclosed that from March 16 to March 29, 497 drugs traders and peddlers had been booked, with 449 cases registered under NDPS Act.
SHO level teams, backed by CIA and Anti-Narcotics Cell units, have been formed in every district to implement the government’s campaign to wipe out drugs from the state in four weeks. State Special Operations (SSOP) cells have also joined the drive, and civil administration is also extending its full support to the anti-drugs campaign.
Highlihgts
Number of arrests in drug related cases has shot up to nearly 500.
SAD-BJP government had discontinued 181 helpline
SHO level teams are being backed by CIA and Anti-Narcotics Cell
Harpreet Sidhu takes charge of STF
Chandigarh: Harpreet Sidhu on Friday formally assumed the charge as head of Special Task Force (STF) constituted by Punjab government to tackle drugs’ menace in state. The STF will operate from two offices-Police Headquarters at Sector-9, Chandigarh and Chief Minister’s Office, Chandigarh.
Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has already announced that Sidhu will be given free hand to control the drugs problem which was a major issue in recently held Punjab Assembly elections.
