CHANDIGARH, May 17:
Amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Police in a joint operation with National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday simultaneously carried out a massive Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) at hideouts of gangsters and anti-social elements across the state, said Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav.
The CASO was conducted in all the 28 Police districts, wherein, NIA conducted raids at 58 locations of the Gangsters with the support of Punjab Police, while, Punjab Police conducted CASOs at 143 hideouts of the gangsters and anti-social elements. At least 125 parties of Punjab Police, involving over 1200 Police Personnel, carried out this operation.
DGP Gaurav Yadav said that CPs/SSPs were directed to personally monitor these raids and make sufficient numbers of Police teams so that raids could be carried out simultaneously. The raids were planned after the questioning of recently arrested gangsters and criminals, he added.
Special DGP Law & Order Arpit Shukla Police teams have conducted in-depth searches at the houses and other premises, and also collected data from mobile phones and other Electronic devices, which will be sent for forensic examinations. He said that Police teams were also asked to check the status of the criminals/gangsters to find out whether he is in-jail, on-bail, acquitted or absconding.
The Special DGP said that several persons have also been detained for further verification and incriminating material has been seized from their possession, which is being further examined.
He said that the Police teams have also checked arms licences and questioned people about the sourcing of ammunition, besides, gathering travel details of foreign-based family members, bank transactions from abroad, and western union and property details for further examination. Police teams have also checked the vehicles stationed at hideouts and verified their registration numbers using VAHAN mobile app, he added.