438 peddlers arrested as part of War Against Drugs campaign so far
A total of 858 suspicious persons were questioned and 438 alleged drug peddlers arrested in the districts falling under the Ropar Range — Ropar, Mohali and Fatehgarh Sahib — as part of the “Yudh Nasheya Virudh (War Against Drugs)” campaign launched by the state government between January 1 and April 3.
Sharing details, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Ropar Range Harcharan Singh Bhullar said surprise checks have been conducted at all chemist shops, railway stations and bus stands twice in each district. Subsequently, 273 cases were registered under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, of which 41 involved drugs of commercial quantity.
With the arrest of 438 alleged drug peddlers, 35.3 kg opium, 121.9 kg poppy husk, 2.2 kg narcotic powder, 419978 narcotic pills capsules, 1.124 kg heroin, 4.73 kg ganja, 1,97,530 narcotic injections, 0.03 gm smack, 1.29 kg cocaine, 3.22 kg charas, and Rs 8,74,820 worth of drug money was recovered.
Besides, police teams also seized weapons including five pistols, four magazines, several live cartridges and impounded three vehicles.
Similarly, in line with the Sampark programme, around 347 police-public sampark meetings were conducted in the districts falling under Ropar Range to strengthen ties between police and public in curbing drug abuse.
Besides, 1,228 village defense committees (VDC) in villages and 160 ward defense committees (WDC) in cities have been formed with regular meetings held with these committees by various officials.
As many as 435 panchayats and wards in Ropar range have specially passed resolutions that if anyone found selling drugs, will be completely socially boycotted and will be denied to support in get bail.
Also, nine properties have been demolished so far after taking the orders from competent authority and the properties are being forfeitured under Section 68/F of the NDPS Act.
54 heinous crime cases solved
The DIG furhter added that two notorious gangsters wanted in various cases of heinous crimes and 108 proclaimed offenders have also been arrested. Besides, a total of 154 cases of heinous crimes like murder, attempt to murder, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, kidnapping, dacoity, rape and robbery have been cracked and a total of 223 accused arrested.
A total of 2,062 cases have been presented before the court, wherein 265 accused have been convicted. Further, 3,148 complaints have been disposed of in a time-bound manner.
In a bid to resolve traffic issues and enforce road safety laws, 64,976 vehicles have been challaned by the traffic police during the day and 12,338 vehicles at night. An e-challan system was also introduced in Mohali district, under which 57,839 e-challans have also been digitally issued.
Chandigarh