Chandigarh, Feb 9: The Punjab Police launched the second phase of their statewide crackdown on organized crime on Monday, resulting in the arrest of 1,250 individuals on the very first day. The 72-hour mission, titled ‘Operation Prahar 2.0’ and conducted under the ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign, involved a massive deployment of over 12,000 police personnel organized into 2,000 specialized teams to dismantle gangster networks and apprehend wanted fugitives.
Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav announced the commencement of the operation following a high-level review meeting with senior officials. He noted that the primary focus of this phase is to target proclaimed offenders and active gang members who have been evading justice. The operation saw 2,760 raids conducted at various hideouts and locations linked to criminal elements across the state.
“Operation Prahar-2 will be conducted from Monday to Wednesday, and senior officers from Punjab Police Headquarters have been deputed for effective supervision of the operation,” the DGP mentioned. He added that the state administration is committed to making Punjab a gangster-free state, following the significant impact of the first phase which had already seen thousands of arrests since late January.
Special DGP (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla shared the results of the opening day, noting that out of 1,895 individuals rounded up for questioning, 1,250 were formally arrested. This group includes 40 proclaimed offenders and 298 persons taken into preventive detention to maintain law and order. He noted that the police force is also utilizing high-tech surveillance and city sealing plans to intercept perpetrators.
“To ensure rapid response after any crime incident is reported, a comprehensive sealing plan must be implemented immediately to intercept perpetrators through intensive checking of escape routes,” the Special DGP directly said. He noted that senior officers have been personally visiting crime scenes and high-footfall areas to oversee the operations and bolster public confidence.
The police have also emphasized the role of public cooperation in this mission. Citizens are encouraged to share information about shooters or suspicious activities through the Anti-Gangster Helpline at 93946-93946. Officials assured that all tips shared through the helpline remain strictly anonymous, as the department works to break the logistical and financial networks supporting organized crime.
