Chandigarh, March 21: Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday released a comprehensive report on Punjab’s security landscape, asserting that a zero-tolerance policy toward organized crime and narcotics has significantly bolstered state safety. As part of the ‘Shandaar Chaar Saal Bhagwant Mann De Naal’ series, the Chief Minister stated that the state’s stabilizing law and order situation is best evidenced by the influx of major industrial investments, including a recent ₹3,200 crore steel plant.
The Chief Minister affirmed that the “Yudh Nashean Virudh” campaign has dismantled extensive criminal networks, resulting in the arrest of over 95,000 smugglers and the registration of 71,228 FIRs since 2022. He declared that the state has successfully seized illegal assets worth ₹772 crore from 1,556 traffickers. Furthermore, the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) has reportedly neutralized or arrested 2,858 criminals and dismantled 1,105 gangs, solving 38 sensational cases involving extortion and terror-linked conspiracies.
Addressing border security, the Chief Minister maintained that Punjab is the first state to install its own anti-drone system to check cross-border smuggling of weapons and drugs. He stated that although the Union Government refused to provide funds for the project, the state utilized its own resources to detect over 1,400 drone movements and recover 806 unmanned aerial vehicles. He added that the state remains committed to extraditing fugitives operating from abroad through Red Corner Notices.
The Chief Minister also noted significant reforms within the police force, including the recruitment of over 12,000 personnel and the modernization of their fleet with nearly 3,000 new vehicles. He asserted that the Sadak Surakhya Force, India’s first dedicated highway safety unit, has reduced road fatalities by 48% since its launch in early 2024. He stated that the force has provided immediate aid to over 47,000 victims on state highways.
Taking aim at the previous Akali leadership, the Chief Minister maintained that those who historically patronized gangsters cannot now claim to be the solution to the state’s problems. He declared that the current administration has ended the culture of appointing individuals with criminal links as local in-charges. He concluded by affirming that Punjab is now one of the safest destinations for global investors and will soon host major international sporting events like the Asia Cup Hockey.
