Red Alert Sounded in Punjab in View of Dussehra, Panchayat Elections

In the run-up to the Dussera celebrations and impending Panchayat elections in the state, the Punjab Police on Friday sounded a red alert across the state. The alert has been sounded on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav to ensure the safety and security of citizens.

Special Director General of Police (Spl DGP) Law and Order Arpit Shukla, who made a surprise visit in Jalandhar to review the security arrangements, said that security has been beefed up across the state and over 600 hi-tech strong nakas have been installed to keep vigil around the anti-social elements.

He said that police personnel deployed at nakas have been asked to conduct extensive checking of all the two-wheelers and suspicious vehicles and also take preventive action against people found suspicious. All the inter-state and inter-district boundaries in the state have been sealed, he added.

The Spl DGP also took a round of crowded markets in Jalandhar and interacted with the force deployed at nakas. Later, he held a meeting with senior officers of Commissionerate Police Jalandhar in the presence of Commissioner of Police (CP) Jalandhar Swapan Sharma.

While reviewing the security arrangements with all the officers, Spl DGP Arpit Shukla asked them to ensure foolproof security arrangements in their concerned jurisdictions. He also asked them to direct all the Station House Officers (SHOs) and Gazzeted Officers to remain in the field till the culmination of festival season.

He also directed CP/SSPs to focus on curbing street crime and ensure action against drugs at the point of sale as per the directions of DGP Punjab. He asked the field officers to make all-out efforts to address crimes affecting citizen security, especially extortion calls, snatching, theft, and burglary. CPs/SSPs have also been asked to carry out crime mapping to identify vulnerable crime and drug hotspots so that CCTV surveillance and patrolling can be intensified.

Spl DGP Arpit Shukla also urged the people of Punjab to remain alert all the time, and immediately report to the police if they find any suspicious. “People can inform the Police on 112 helpline number,” he said.