Chandigarh, April 22
The success of the Punjab Police-led ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ operation is not limited to the number of arrests of notorious individuals and recoveries of drugs. The operation has struck at the core of gangster networks, leading to a significant decline in the crime rate across the state. The sustained efforts of Punjab Police personnel have resulted in a steep drop in organised crime within three months of the launch of ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’. The state has recorded a 100 per cent decline in gangster-linked murder cases. From four gangster-linked murders reported in January, the number dropped to zero in March.
Giving these details, Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said that not just murders, the state has also recorded a massive 69 per cent decline in gangster-linked firing incidents — from 29 in the first month of the year to just nine reported till April 20. “Notable cases of extortion have dropped by 10.9 per cent, from 110 reported in January to 98 in March”, he added.
Yadav said that with the establishment of a toll-free Anti-Gangster Helpline (93946-93946), more citizens are coming forward to report extortion-related calls. “Punjab Police has not only controlled the crime rate in the State but has also won the trust of its residents with the launch of the ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ operation. The records speak volumes about the work done to dismantle crime syndicates. This is just the beginning, as Punjab Police is closing in on these gangsters to ensure their complete elimination,” said Yadav.
DGP added that as per the analysis conducted, the total number of extortion cases has declined significantly during the period, with an 11 per cent fall in overall extortion cases. “The campaign has had a strong impact on visible and violent criminal activities. Its success has been witnessed not only in districts and cities but also in border areas. The data also indicates a substantial decline in organised crime which was becoming a breeding ground for gangsters to recruit criminals,” disclosed Yadav.
Yadav added, “The ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ operation is not limited to targeting high-profile gangsters but also their networks spread across Punjab. Individuals involved in petty crime were easy targets for gang recruitment. By cracking down on such elements, we have disrupted their operations and reinforced a zero-tolerance policy towards crime in the state.”
