Punjab Police Dismantle Illegal Structures of Drug Traffickers
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Synopsis
The Punjab Police have successfully demolished illegal structures on panchayat land in Khanpur and Mandi, occupied by drug traffickers, following a request from local officials. This action is part of a broader crackdown on narcotics in the region.
Key Takeaways
- Punjab Police dismantled illegal structures linked to drug smugglers.
- Action taken on encroached panchayat land in Khanpur and Mandi.
- Two known drug traffickers were targeted in this operation.
- Authorities confirmed the land's rightful ownership.
- Statewide drug crackdown led to numerous arrests and FIRs.
Chandigarh, March 2 (NationPress) The Punjab Police, working alongside local authorities, have dismantled illegal structures erected on encroached panchayat land in the villages of Khanpur and Mandi located in Phillaur.
The structures, unlawfully occupied by two individuals known for their involvement in narcotics smuggling, were taken down following proper legal procedures, according to a police statement issued on Sunday.
Senior Superintendent of Police (Jalandhar Rural) Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh remarked that the demolition initiative was executed in response to a request from the Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) of Phillaur, who sought police support for addressing the illegal encroachments. The operation targeted Jasvir Singh, also known as Sheera, and Bholi, the spouse of Rampal alias Rama, both of whom had unlawfully taken over the panchayat land.
According to official records, Bholi is a notorious drug smuggler with numerous charges under the NDPS Act, including a recovery of 1.190 kg of smack in 2005, a seizure of two kg of poppy husk in 2015, and a substantial amount of drugs recovered in 2022.
Likewise, Jasvir Singh has been implicated in several cases, including one involving a commercial quantity of charas and injected narcotics.
The SSP stated that the police, in conjunction with revenue and panchayat officials, ensured the smooth execution of the demolition, with sufficient personnel deployed to prevent any disturbances.
Authorities confirmed that the land is rightfully owned by the gram panchayat and had been illegally occupied by the suspects.
The SSP emphasized that the Jalandhar Rural Police will persist in its efforts against illegal encroachments linked to criminal enterprises, ensuring that no one profits from the proceeds of crime or unauthorized occupation of public land. Local residents reported that these two drug traffickers frequently intimidated and threatened villagers.
Meanwhile, the village Sarpanch of Khanpur, Paramjit Kaur, along with local residents, praised the government’s actions against drug smugglers. “We applaud such initiatives by the Punjab government aimed at eliminating the drug menace from the state,” they remarked.
On the previous day, the police initiated a statewide operation targeting drugs, conducting raids at over 750 locations, which resulted in the arrest of 290 smugglers following the filing of 232 first information reports (FIRs). This extensive crackdown followed Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's recent directive to the Punjab Police to achieve a drug-free state within three months.
