New Delhi, Nov 5 (NationPress) Haryana DGP O.P. Singh on Wednesday inaugurated “Operation Track Down”, a comprehensive statewide initiative by the police designed to locate and apprehend notorious gunmen, habitual offenders, and absconders. He cautioned those in possession of firearms to surrender or face severe legal repercussions.

In an exclusive interview with IANS in Panchkula, the DGP expressed that this initiative stems from the growing concern regarding impressionable youth who, influenced by films and social media, are glamorizing crime.

“They fail to understand the ramifications of discharging a firearm — we need to convey that this is not a game,” he stated.

The DGP elaborated that the Special Task Force (STF) along with district police will collaboratively identify and target the most notorious offenders.

“Each police station will pinpoint five of the most infamous individuals, while the district level will focus on ten, and the STF will pursue twenty notorious individuals,” Singh detailed, outlining a systematic, phased operation lasting 15 days.

He also mentioned that the STF has assembled a database featuring approximately 30,000 names, with around 1,500-2,000 individuals who have discharged a weapon being prioritized for immediate action.

Singh warned that repeat offenders would be prosecuted under organized crime statutes, potentially leading to incarceration for one to two years without bail. He further indicated that properties belonging to convicted criminals would be confiscated and they would be housed in government facilities at state expense.

In a plea to armed individuals, Singh encouraged voluntary surrender, promising safety and adherence to legal protocols: “If you come forward, no harm will come — everything will be handled legally.”

However, his warning to those who resist was straightforward: “If an offender fires with both hands, the police aren’t wearing bangles,” he remarked, indicating a readiness to employ force when necessary.

The DGP asserted that no gang could outmatch the Haryana Police and described many in the database as misguided individuals chasing power, money, or fame. The operation will also target those who threaten citizens via phone.

The Haryana Police affirmed that updates regarding the operation would be shared with the public daily, with details released to the media as arrests and recoveries occur.