Direct accountability has now been fixed for the police and administration to eradicate the drug trade in Chandigarh. Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria has set a deadline of September 30 to make the city drug-free. He warned that if drugs are found being sold in any area after this deadline, strict administrative action will be taken against the Station House Officer (SHO) and field staff of the concerned police station. Speaking as the chief guest at a function held at the Law Auditorium in Sector 37, Kataria stated that illegal activities like drug smuggling cannot persist for long without the collusion of officials. Therefore, breaking any nexus between smugglers and officials is a top priority for the government.
Secret Teams to Keep an Eye on Smugglers
The Governor stated that the secret information system would be strengthened to monitor the activities of drug smugglers. Additionally, independent teams will operate in the field to keep a watch on smugglers as well as the performance of negligent or colluding officials. Kataria emphasized that the fight against drugs is not solely the responsibility of the government or the police; every section of society must join this campaign. Youth moving away from substance abuse will be integrated into the mainstream by providing them with opportunities in sports and employment based on their capabilities. The Administrator mentioned that his doors are always open to address public grievances. A ‘Janta Darbar’ (public hearing) will be held every Wednesday to listen to and resolve people’s complaints. He also spoke of transforming Chandigarh into a major hub for education and sports. During the event, several individuals were honored for their contributions to the medical, health, and education sectors. Police Crack Down on Drug Smugglers Following Administrator’s Order
Chandigarh (Bhushan): As part of the ‘War on Drugs’ campaign, the Chandigarh Police have adopted a tougher stance against drug smugglers. In accordance with the directives of Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, the focus is on tightening the noose around the drug trade and fostering greater police-public cooperation. To this end, a police-public meeting was held in Sector 56 to send a strong message to drug smugglers. The meeting was led by DSP Dheeraj Kumar. SHO of Police Station 39, JP Singh, and the In-charge of Police Post 55-56, Kuldeep Singh, were also present. Residents of Sector 56, which borders Mohali district, are concerned about the drug problem in the area. During the meeting, issues regarding the sale of drugs in the locality and the influx of outsiders coming to purchase narcotics were brought to the police’s attention. Taking local complaints against drug abuse seriously, the police made it clear that those selling drugs would not be spared or shown any leniency under any circumstances.
