Chandigarh, May 31 – The Punjab Police is set to introduce GPS-enabled anklets for bailed-out drug smugglers, in a major step to monitor their movements and curb repeat offenses, DGP Gaurav Yadav said on Saturday.
Citing Jammu and Kashmir Police’s use of the technology for UAPA accused, Yadav said Punjab is legally evaluating the proposal. “Once we get court permissions, these anklets will be used case-by-case for notorious smugglers, keeping privacy rights in mind,” he said.
He clarified that the focus is not on small-time users but on big offenders. “Casual users need de-addiction, not jail,” he added, emphasizing a plan to integrate such individuals into mainstream society with help from village elders and panchayats.
Other key steps announced:
- Self-declaration from bailed drug users promising to avoid drugs and smuggling
- AI-based software to build a centralised database of drug smugglers
- New drug de-addiction centres in jails
- Anti-drone system to counter cross-border smuggling, to be deployed by July-August
The comprehensive approach aims to disrupt the drug-peddling ecosystem from multiple angles—legal, technological and social.
