CHANDIGARH, April 1: To instil a sense of security among the general public ahead of Lok Sabha Elections-2024, Punjab Police along with teams of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) on Monday carried out flag marches at all the vulnerable and sensitive pockets across the state. Polling for the general elections in Punjab will be held in the last phase of polls on June 1.
Special Director General of Police (Special DGP) Law and Order Arpit Shukla said that following directions of DGP Punjab Gaurav Yadav, Police teams led by CPs/SSPs conducted flag marches in all 28 police districts from 11am to 3pm simultaneously. The exercise was aimed to boost the confidence of the general public, besides, preparing police personnel to tackle any untoward situation, he added.
He said that CPs/SSPs have already been directed to install special nakas and enhance patrolling parties across the state to keep vigil around anti-social elements in their respective jurisdictions. To check the movement of criminals, bootleggers and drug smugglers, SSPs of border districts have been asked to seal the borders by installing inter-state nakas and not let anyone enter/exit the state without frisking and thorough checking of their vehicle, he added.
— PUNJAB POLICE TO ENSURE FREE, FAIR AND PEACEFUL LOK SABHA ELECTIONS
— STRONG INTER-STATE NAKAS AT 217 ENTRY/EXIT POINTS KEEPING VIGIL ON MOVEMENT OF CRIMINALS, BOOTLEGGERS AND DRUG SMUGGLERS, SAYS SPL DGP ARPIT SHUKLA
— PUNJAB POLICE ARREST 416 PROCLAIMED OFFENDERS/ABSCONDERS SINCE MARCH 16: SPL DGP LAW & ORDER
— POLICE OFFICERS/OFFICIALS DIRECTED TO STRICTLY ADHERE TO ECI GUIDELINES AND ALL ASPECTS OF MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT
Pertinently, security has been beefed up across the state and strong nakas— including 57 permanent, 149 temporary and 11 hi-tech nakas with sophisticated gadgets— have been planned at all the 217 entry/exit points of the state and Excise officers have been mandated to be part of these inter-state Nakas.
Apart from this, 25 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed in vulnerable districts of the state to dominate sensitive and hyper-sensitive areas in the state. The 25 companies include five coys of Central Reserved Police Forces (CRPF), 15 coys of Border Security Force (BSF) and five coys of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
“We will uphold the glorious tradition of the Punjab Police to ensure free, fair and peaceful polls in the border state,” said the Special DGP.
He said that all the officers/officials have been directed to strictly adhere to all aspects of the Model Code of Conduct and follow all the instructions and guidelines from the Election Commission of India (ECI) for holding free and fair elections.
Meanwhile, amidst the ongoing special campaign against proclaimed offenders (PO) after the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct, Punjab Police have successfully arrested 416 absconders.