THE NEWS FREEDOM
CHANDIGARH, MARCH 19
Punjab’s Director General of Police (DGP), Gaurav Yadav, on Tuesday said that 25 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) comprising units from the Central Reserved Police Forces (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) were deployed in vulnerable areas to ensure free, fair and peaceful upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The DGP convened a crucial state-level meeting today, instructing all Commissioners of Police (CPs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) to establish effective interstate and inter-district checkpoints. These measures aim to monitor the movements of anti-social elements, drug smugglers, and bootleggers, while mobilizing maximum police force for area domination and confidence-building efforts.
Chairing the virtual conference with senior police officials, Range Additional Directors General (ADGs), Inspectors General (IGs), Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), CPs, SSPs, and other gazetted officers, DGP Yadav emphasized the need for strict adherence to the Model Code of Conduct and guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI). He stressed the importance of maintaining a positive environment and urged professional policing to ensure fair and transparent elections.
Highlighting the ECI’s directives, DGP Yadav enforced a ban on the issuance of new arms licenses and instructed CPs and SSPs to oversee the deposition of weapons in compliance with regulations. He mandated frequent inspections of gun houses to verify security arrangements for the safe storage of firearms and ordered the mapping of vulnerable areas to deploy additional forces preemptively.
Furthermore, DGP Yadav urged officers to expedite the investigation and prosecution of election-related offenses, emphasizing intensified vehicle checks, particularly of commercial vehicles, to curb the influx of narcotics and illicit liquor. He lauded the ongoing campaign against drug traffickers and criminals, citing notable progress in the arrest of Proclaimed Offenders (POs) and execution of non-bailable warrants (NBWs).
To bolster security measures, DGP Yadav disclosed the deployment of 25 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in vulnerable districts, comprising units from the Central Reserved Police Forces (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). He underscored the importance of inter-departmental cooperation to ensure seamless coordination among stakeholders and departments for the successful conduct of peaceful elections.