YUDH NASHIAN VIRUDH’: JALANDHAR RURAL POLICE CONDUCTS SPECIAL CASO OPERATIONS AT 15 IDENTIFIED DRUG HOTSPOTS

Dilbag Singh 

YUDH NASHIAN VIRUDH’: JALANDHAR RURAL POLICE CONDUCTS SPECIAL CASO OPERATIONS AT 15 IDENTIFIED DRUG HOTSPOTS

NAKODAR /JALANDHAR , 4  OCTOBER

Under the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign being carried out by the Punjab Government Jalandhar Rural Police, under the leadership of Harvinder Singh Virk, SSP Jalandhar Rural, conducted special CASO (Cordon and Search Operation) operations today at identified drug hotspots across the district. During the special operation, Harvinder Singh Virk, PPS, SSP Jalandhar Rural, personally visited Shankar village under Police Station Sadar Nakodar and supervised the operation. Vineet Ahlawat, , SP (Investigation), Jalandhar Rural, was also present during the operation. In other sub-divisions of Jalandhar Rural, CASO operations were conducted under the supervision of the respective Sub-Divisional Police Officers and SHOs, with adequate police force deployed at the identified locations. As part of the special drive, all 15 identified drug hotspots across Jalandhar Rural district were specifically covered. Police teams conducted detailed checking of suspicious persons and locations and carried out intensive searches to prevent the sale, supply and other illegal activities related to drugs. During the operation, 10 Gazetted Officers and 275 police personnel were deployed. A total of 31 FIRs were registered, and 40 persons were arrested under the NDPS Act. The operation resulted in the recovery of 10 grams of heroin, 381 tablets/pills/capsules and 47 bottles of illicit liquor. In addition, 15 vehicles were impounded and 01 Proclaimed Offender (PO) was arrested. Other articles and miscellaneous recoveries related to the operation were also made during the search and checking. Preventive action under Section 129 BNSS was also initiated against 14 persons. During the special drive, persons suffering from drug addiction were also identified. Those requiring treatment are being admitted to de-addiction centres, while persons at an early stage of addiction, who do not require immediate admission, are being counselled and referred for appropriate treatment and rehabilitation. SSP Jalandhar Rural Harvinder Singh Virk stated that Jalandhar Rural Police is working simultaneously on three key aspects—enforcement, awareness and de-addiction—to make the identified drug hotspots drug-free. He said that a special seven-day target has been set to make the identified drug hotspots drug-free, and these areas will be monitored on a daily basis. He further stated that systematic listing of drug hotspots and identification of persons involved in drug use will be carried out. Necessary action will be taken based on information received from local residents, police-supporting citizens and other reliable sources. Every possible effort will be made to provide treatment and counselling to drug-affected persons and bring them back into the mainstream of society through rehabilitation. . Harvinder Singh Virk further said that drug awareness programmes will also be conducted in the identified areas to reduce the demand for drugs. Awareness seminars in schools, awareness activities in village common areas, street plays and workshops will be organised to educate the public, particularly the youth, about the harmful effects of drugs. He stated that, under the enforcement component, intelligence inputs will be developed, and special operations will be conducted against persons involved in the sale and supply of drugs. No person involved in the supply of drugs will be spared, and strict legal action will be taken against such persons in accordance with law. The district police chief said that the primary objective of Jalandhar Rural Police is to make drug hotspots drug-free, dismantle the drug supply chain, facilitate treatment and rehabilitation of persons affected by drug addiction, and create greater awareness among the public against drugs. He added that such CASO operations and special checking drives will continue across Jalandhar Rural in the coming days.