Massive crackdown against anti-social elements as Malerkotla police conduct CASO on outskirts of cities/towns across district 

Malerkotla, January 8, 2024:  As part of the ongoing drive to make Punjab a crime-free and drug-free state as per the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Malerkotla Police on Monday conducted a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) across the district aimed at deterring anti-social elements and instilling sense of security and safety among common public. The operation was conducted on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav.

The operation was conducted from 08 am to 2 pm simultaneously in across districts of the state and ADGP  Security Punjab , SS Srivastava IPS has been personally supervising the operation. The SSP Malerkotla, Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh himself present on the field to execute the  operation in a meticulous manner by identifying notorious/infamous mohallas/villages where drugs are prevalent or certain areas which have become shelter/safe haven for criminals and anti-social elements, to carry out this operation amid massive deployment of the police force. 

As many as 200 police personnel led   under the supervision of two SP rank officers, 04 DSPs and all SHOs executed this cordon and search operation across the district Malerkotla

ADGP security Punjab SS Srivastava IPS reiterated that making Punjab a drug-free state besides eliminating gangster culture, maintaining law and order, and detection of crime is the topmost priority of the Punjab Police. He also added that the Punjab Police have not been leaving any stone unturned to make Punjab free from crime and drugs. “These kinds of CASOs at mass-scale level not only help in infusing fear among anti-social elements, but also boost public confidence and increase the presence of the cops in the field,” he said.

The ADGP SS Srivastava said that during the operation, Police teams have cordoned off over 04 hotspot areas and as many as 63 persons were frisked of which 12 persons have been arrested. The Police have also registered 10  first information reports (FIRs) Apart from this, the Police teams have recovered Heroine 39 Gm,Intoxicant Tablet 580, and intoxicant Syrup 07 Bottle.
       

The operation was conducted after the identification of drug and crime hotspots through data analysis by Malerkotla police forces, SSP Khakh said, adding that proper frisking of suspected persons and complete search of houses was done by the Police force under the supervision of senior officers. He said that special checkpoints were also set up  in these hotspots to ensure strict vigil.