Punjab News: The state government's action against gangsters and organized crime in Punjab continues. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has given a strong message to the gangsters and criminals hiding abroad, saying that they can change their whereabouts, passport and identity, but cannot escape the law forever. The Chief Minister also honored the Punjab Police team which succeeded in bringing fugitive criminal Amritpal Singh alias Amrit Dalam back to India from Moldova. This action of Punjab Police has come as the first successful arrest of a fugitive criminal from Europe.
Police will also chase gangsters who flee abroad
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that law and order is fully maintained in Punjab and there is no safe haven for criminals now. Whether the gangsters are hiding in Punjab, in any other part of the country or thousands of kilometers away in Europe, the Punjab Police will continue to pursue them.
He said that the state government has adopted a policy of zero tolerance against gangsters, extortionists, drug smugglers and organized criminal networks. According to the Chief Minister, the government has succeeded in bringing back 10 gangsters from foreign countries to Punjab since January.
Hawala of Amrit Dalam a big success
The Chief Minister praised the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) team led by SP Bikramjit Singh Brar. The operation to bring back Amrit Dalam from Moldova was part of a six-month long international operation 'Operation Eastern Reach'. In this operation, AGTF and Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC) of Punjab Police worked in collaboration with central agencies and foreign law enforcement agencies.
Amrit Dalam has been described as a key activist of Jaggu Bhagwanpuriya gang. He was wanted in several serious cases related to murder, attempt to murder, UAPA, Arms Act and narcotics. According to media reports, there are 21 criminal cases registered against him in Punjab.
1,234 gangster modules busted
The Chief Minister said that Punjab Police has so far busted 1,234 gangster modules. Along with this, 60,582 FIRs have been registered against drug smugglers and assets worth Rs 366 crore have been seized.
He said that the police have been equipped with hi-tech anti-drone systems. Apart from this, rural defense committees with participation of about 1.5 lakh people have also been formed, so that the security system of the state can be further strengthened.
Moldova honored Punjab Police
During the visit to Moldova, the Punjab Police delegation was awarded a medal of honor by the government there for better coordination and cooperation. The Chief Minister said that this honor is a symbol of the growing trust and cooperation in the field of law enforcement between India and Moldova.
He said that the successful extradition of Amrit Dalam is not just an act of bringing back a criminal, but it also reflects the professionalism of Punjab Police at the international level and its strong coordination with law enforcement agencies of various countries.
The Chief Minister made it clear that no person or organization compromising the peace and security of Punjab will be spared. He said that Punjab Police will continue to pursue criminals irrespective of geographical boundaries and in serious cases, wanted fugitives will be brought back from abroad and brought to book.