Chandigarh, June 18- Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to check the menace of drugs in the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has chalked out a multi pronged strategy to wipe out this curse from the state.CM instructs police officers to freeze drug peddlers’ property within a week of arrest.

Chairing a meeting with top brass of Punjab Police here today, the Chief Minister said that the state government is going to introduce several reforms for Policing in the state. He stated that the state Police had seized significant amounts of cash and drugs during the election campaign and uncovered vital clues about drug supply. He also disclosed that lower-level cops occasionally involved themselves with drug peddlers, thus creating a strong nexus between them.

Bhagwant Singh Mann said that as the maiden initiative the state government has transferred a number of police officials at the lowest ebb of the hierarchy who have been squatting on their posts since long.

The Chief Minister stated that the government has conducted over 10,000 transfers across divisions and continues to rotate police postings to disrupt the nexus. Bhagwant Singh Mann emphasised that these actions aim to curb drug smuggling in the state, citing reports of involvement between lower-level officers and drug paddlers.

He stated that they are identifying the black sheep in the Police department and will take strict action against them for their involvement in this unpardonable crime.

The Chief Minister declared that if anyone is caught smuggling drugs, the Police will seize their property within a week.He instructed officers to enforce this policy rigorously to combat drug trafficking.

Bhagwant Singh Mann said that to enhance the efficiency of the Punjab Police the state government has decided to create 10,000 new posts in the force. The Chief Minister said that it will help in checking the crime on one hand and create jobs for the youth in the coming days.

He stated that Punjab Police has equipped itself with the best available technology to maintain law and order in the state. He added that the state government’s Sadak Suraksha Force is operating successfully. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that ever since its launch the force has saved more than 2000 precious lives after the accidents on road.

The Chief Minister urged officers to transform the war against drugs into a mass movement for the welfare of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann declared that the state government no longer operates on ‘Commission’ but on ‘Mission’ mode. He also detailed a strategy to tackle smugglers, gangsters, and terrorists using drones in the state.

The Chief Minister stated that Punjab is leading the nation’s fight against the menace of drugs, vowing to leave no stone upturned. Bhagwant Singh Mann emphasized that the state does not produce a single ounce of drugs, but rather they are smuggled from across borders and other states.

The Chief Minister directed police officers to respect visitors to police stations and warned SSPs about personal accountability for any public harassment. He emphasized that police must show respect to MLAs and other elected representatives. The government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and drugs, promising rigorous enforcement. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann vowed to pursue all individuals involved in these crimes, regardless of wealth. He declared that the state cannot tolerate drug trafficking and its impact on future generations, promising strict consequences as a deterrent..

The Chief Minister stated that state BJP leader Sunil Jakhar is deeply frustrated because he has not been able to secure a share in power.  He said that due to this frustration the former MP is issuing baseless statements against the state government.

Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that these leaders prioritise their own vested interests, whereas as CM, he prioritises  the progress of the state and the prosperity of its people.

The Chief Minister bemoaned that development works came to a standstill due to the long Model Code of Conduct in the state.He emphasized that the state government is committed to ensuring the overall progress and prosperity of the people. Therefore, it took proactive steps to secure their welfare by restarting the wheels of governance. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that based on the feedback of the people from the grass root level the state government is formulating various policies for their well being.