CHANDIGARH, Aug. 28 — Punjab Police on Thursday conducted a massive cordon and search operation (CASO) at 138 railway stations across all 28 districts of the state, officials said. The exercise, ordered by Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, was described as one of the largest coordinated operations in recent months.
Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla, who is supervising the operation, said heavy deployment was ensured at every railway station under the supervision of gazetted rank officers. “All CPs and SSPs were instructed to lead with adequate force to make the exercise effective,” Shukla noted.
During the operation, police checked about 1,189 individuals and detained seven suspects for questioning. More than 120 teams comprising over 1,000 personnel, including 62 gazetted officers, carried out the searches simultaneously across the state.
The CASO was coupled with Punjab Police’s ongoing anti-drug campaign. According to police, 84 alleged drug peddlers were arrested on Thursday alone. The seizures included 1.8 kilograms of heroin, 24 kilograms of opium, and ₹5,400 in drug money. Officials added that 57 FIRs were registered across different districts in connection with the crackdown.
Police figures show that the total number of alleged drug peddlers arrested in the past 180 days has climbed to 27,508. Shukla said the campaign also focuses on rehabilitation. “Punjab Police has convinced 58 persons to give up drugs and undergo treatment,” he said.
The statewide operation underscores Punjab Police’s twin strategy of tightening security at vital public spaces while intensifying its fight against narcotics.
