Chandigarh, April 22: Punjab Police conducted 541 raids across the state Wednesday, marking the 92nd day of the “Gangstran Te Vaar” campaign. Directed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the operation targeted mapped locations linked to various criminal associates, resulting in the arrest of 254 individuals. These latest actions bring the total number of arrests since the campaign’s January launch to over 23,000.
The state’s multi-pronged approach to law enforcement also focused on preventive measures and the pursuit of fugitives. Officials affirmed that police teams took preventive action against 79 persons, while three proclaimed offenders were successfully apprehended during the latest sweeps. Authorities declared that the ongoing collaboration between district units and the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) remains the backbone of the initiative.
“The ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ is a decisive war to make Punjab a gangster-free state,” the DGP Punjab Gaurav Yadav stated upon the campaign’s launch. Officials maintained that public cooperation is essential to this mission, noting that citizens can anonymously share tips via the Anti-Gangster Helpline at 93946-93946. They affirmed that the information provided by the public has been vital in mapping criminal networks.
Simultaneously, the state’s anti-narcotics drive, “Yudh Nashian Virudh,” reached its 417th day with the arrest of 98 drug smugglers. Large quantities of heroin and poppy husk were recovered, alongside drug-related currency. Beyond enforcement, the police affirmed their commitment to rehabilitation, stating that 44 individuals were convinced to undergo de-addiction treatment on Wednesday as part of a broader effort to restore social stability.
