To effectively curb criminal activities in Punjab, the police have issued special instructions to petrol pump operators. Amritsar Police Commissioner Harmanbir Singh Gill stated that petrol pump operators should refrain from refueling two-wheelers that lack number plates, have had their number plates removed, or have tampered number plates. He directed petrol pump owners to clearly instruct their staff not to provide fuel to such vehicles.
The Police Commissioner noted that investigations into various criminal incidents revealed that gangsters and other criminals frequently used two-wheelers to carry out their crimes. Many of these vehicles were found to be missing number plates or had tampered plates. He added that after committing a crime, the accused often flee on these two-wheelers and refuel at petrol pumps along the way.
Harmanbir Singh Gill stated that the police have examined CCTV footage from petrol pumps linked to several criminal incidents. The footage showed two-wheelers that either lacked number plates or had plates with unclear numbers. Identifying such vehicles can be challenging for the police, yet CCTV cameras at petrol pumps can provide crucial clues regarding the criminals’ movements.
He emphasized that the practice of criminals stopping at petrol pumps to refuel after committing a crime is being viewed seriously. Consequently, all petrol pump operators have been instructed to ensure their staff remain vigilant and keep a close watch on suspicious two-wheelers. The Police Commissioner urged staff to be alert regarding any two-wheeler with a missing, broken, or illegible number plate, or one where the number appears to have been tampered with. He stated that the police should be informed immediately if a vehicle is spotted under suspicious circumstances, so that timely action can be taken.
