Latest news with #GauravYadav
News18
11 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Man Arrested In Punjab For Sharing Army Details With Pakistan's ISI During Operation Sindoor
Last Updated: The accused had also shared information including troop deployment and strategic locations. Punjab Police on Tuesday arrested a man from Tarn Taran for sharing information about army movements during Operation Sindoor. Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said that the accused had been in contact with Pakistan's ISI and was sharing classified details. 'Acting swiftly on information received from Counter-Intelligence-Punjab, @TarnTaranPolice , in a joint operation arrests Gagandeep Singh @ Gagan, a resident of Mohalla Rodupur, Gali Nazar Singh Wali, #TarnTaran," Punjab DGP posted on X. Punjab DGP Yadav further stated that Singh disclosed details about troop deployment and strategic positions.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: 113 peddlers arrested, 2-kg heroin seized
The Punjab Police on Sunday arrested 113 drug smugglers and recovered 2.09-kg heroin, 530-gm opium, 32,679 intoxicating pills and ₹1.8 lakh drug money from their possession as the state government's 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' (anti-drug war) campaign entered 92nd day on Sunday. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 14,944 in just 92 days. The operation was conducted on the directions of Punjab director general of police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav simultaneously in all 28 police districts of the state. Divulging details, Special DGP, law and order, Arpit Shukla said over 200 police teams comprising over 1,400 police personnel, under the supervision of 86 gazetted officers, were part of the raiding teams at 461 locations, leading to registration of 83 FIRs across the state. Police teams have also checked 382 suspicious persons during the day-long operation, he added. Shukla said that with the state government enforcing a three-pronged strategy — enforcement, deaddiction and prevention (EDP)— to eradicate drugs from the state, the police, as part of de-addiction drive, has convinced 92 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today. Meanwhile, police teams also conducted checking at 106 pharmaceutical shops in five districts — Fazilka, Ferozepur, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Faridkot and Moga — to ensure they are not selling intoxicating tablets or any other habit-forming drugs.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Punjab DGP hails success of anti-drug campaign, says fight isn't over
As the deadline set by the Punjab government to eliminate the availability of drugs by May 31 came to an end, director general of police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav claimed significant success in the ongoing anti-drug campaign, 'Yudh Nashian Virudh'. However, Yadav stopped short of declaring Punjab a 'drug-free' state, acknowledging that while substantial progress has been made, the challenge remains. Addressing the media on Saturday, Yadav emphasised that the campaign, which has been active since March, has succeeded in reducing the availability of narcotics in the state through a combination of strict enforcement, intelligence gathering and public cooperation. 'Our assessment indicates that the campaign has not only been successful in India but is being recognised internationally as a role model for combating drug abuse,' Yadav said adding: 'The efforts have made a tangible impact in reducing drug availability in Punjab, but there are still areas where narcotics remain accessible.' 'Not drug-free, but significant progress' When asked whether Punjab could now be considered drug-free, the DGP gave a measured response. Referring to an English proverb, 'Two people are looking from a window, one sees the star and the other sees the mud,' Yadav said that while drug availability had significantly decreased, there are still pockets where drugs remain a problem. 'I won't say drugs have been completely eliminated. It's a cyclical issue, but the availability of drugs has been drastically reduced,' he said, adding that the overall situation has improved. Economic impact of strict enforcement Yadav noted that the intensified police action has had a marked effect on the drug market. Intelligence reports and informal surveys show that street-level prices for heroin have surged by 50%, and prices for synthetic drugs have risen by 40% due to disrupted supply chains. 'This increase in prices shows that we've effectively disturbed the drug supply network,' the DGP said. Focus shifts to long-term strategy Looking ahead, the Punjab Police will continue their crackdown on drug smugglers and peddlers while focusing on three key strategies: Enforcement, de-addiction, and prevention. Yadav also highlighted that the police will be monitoring individuals released on bail, especially repeat offenders. 'We are developing a system to track the activities of repeat offenders using the help of village panchayats and local communities,' he said. 'Additionally, we are exploring the use of GPS anklets to monitor the movement of major drug smugglers released on bail.' Technological innovation in anti-drug operations Punjab Police has been at the forefront of using technology to combat crime. In 2019, the state launched the Punjab Artificial Intelligence System (PAIS), and now an AI-powered hierarchical database is being developed to track individuals arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Yadav also announced the deployment of advanced anti-drone systems along the Indo-Pak border to combat cross-border smuggling of drugs and other illicit materials. 'These systems will help detect, identify, and neutralize drones, disrupting the cross-border drug trafficking network,' he said. Campaign achievements Since the launch of 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' on March 1, Punjab Police have made significant arrests and seizures, including 8,344 first information reports (FIRs), 14,734 arrests — 13,038 drug peddlers and 1,696 drug suppliers/distributors, 586 kg of heroin, 247 kg of opium, 14 tonnes of poppy husk, 9 kg of charas, 253 kg of ganja, 2.5 kg of ICE, 1.6 kg of cocaine, and 25.7 lakh intoxicant pills seized, ₹10.76 crore in drug money recovered, 144 illegally acquired properties worth ₹74.27 crore frozen, and 104 illegal properties demolished. In addition, the hawala network was effectively disrupted with the arrest of 48 major hawala operators, leading to the recovery of ₹10.76 crore, the DGP said. Public engagement through technology The 'Safe Punjab' WhatsApp Chatbot portal has been a critical tool in encouraging public participation. With the portal's confidentiality feature, the public has submitted 7,635 tips, resulting in 1,596 FIRs and 1,814 arrests, Yadav said. 'Each One Adopt One' programme In a new initiative to aid in rehabilitation, Yadav announced the 'Each One Adopt One' programme, where every police officer, from the rank of DGP downwards, will adopt one drug user to assist with their de-addiction and rehabilitation. 'Starting with myself, every officer will adopt one drug user and help them through the rehabilitation process,' Yadav said. 'I encourage more people to come forward and join this initiative to help drug users reintegrate into society.' Despite the campaign's notable successes, the DGP said that the fight against drugs is far from over. 'We will continue our enforcement efforts, while also focusing on long-term strategies for prevention and de-addiction,' he said, adding: 'The work of the Punjab Police will remain relentless in ensuring that Punjab is free of the drug menace.' Has war against drugs been won or is there a ceasefire: Warring Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring launched a scathing attack on chief minister Bhagwant Mann, questioning the status of the much-publicised campaign 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' (war against drugs). Taking to social media platform X, Warring reminded the CM of the deadline and asked whether the battle against drugs had actually been won or if the government had silently called a 'ceasefire'. 'Today is May 31, 2025, the DEADLINE you set for defeating drugs in Punjab. Will you please tell us about the status of the 'War on Drugs'?' Warring posted. The Punjab Congress chief added: 'Please tell us, whether the 'War' has really been won? Or, is there a CEASEFIRE? If it has been won, the people of Punjab would like you to make the grand announcement yourself—straight from the horse's mouth. And if there is a victory, let it be followed by a 'Victory Parade'.' Speaking informally to reporters later in the day, Warring dismissed the anti-drug campaign as a publicity stunt, accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of prioritizing optics over substance. 'Setting unrealistic deadlines to eliminate drugs was part of a media strategy, not a serious policy measure,' he said. 'The money wasted on publicity could have been better spent on establishing more de-addiction centres and treatment facilities,' he added.
News18
3 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Punjab Drug Smugglers On Back Foot: Police To Use GPS Anklets, AI-Backed Database To Track Them
Last Updated: GPS anklets would be placed on notorious smugglers released on bail to monitor their movements while ensuring the right to privacy is respected, DGP Gaurav Yadav said Punjab police are set to introduce GPS-enabled anklets to monitor the movements of drug smugglers released on bail, as announced by the state's top cop on Saturday. Additionally, a database of drug smugglers and peddlers is being developed, modelled after the Punjab Artificial Intelligence System (PAIS). Director general of police Gaurav Yadav highlighted that the Jammu and Kashmir police use similar wearable devices to track individuals accused under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). 'In J&K, GPS tracking anklets have been implemented for UAPA accused out on bail. We are currently assessing the proposal from a legal perspective," he informed the media. Yadav explained that upon receiving court orders, GPS anklets would be placed on notorious smugglers released on bail to monitor their movements while ensuring the right to privacy is respected. Yadav emphasised that small-time drug users should not be targeted, but rather the step would be directed at drug de-addiction centres. He mentioned that the police would also focus on monitoring such users who have been released on bail. 'We have established a system to track their activities by involving village elders and panchayats, aiming to reintegrate them into mainstream society. These individuals will be encouraged to visit OAAT (Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment) clinics and drug de-addiction centres," he stated. Station house officers will summon these individuals to police stations to have them sign a self-declaration committing to neither consuming nor selling drugs, according to the DGP. However, he noted that repeat offenders would face police action. The DGP also mentioned that artificial intelligence software will be created to upload information about arrested drug smugglers into a centralised database, facilitating forward and backward linkages. Furthermore, drug de-addiction centres will be established in jails for incarcerated drug users. (With PTI inputs) First Published: June 01, 2025, 06:30 IST
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Major success, but menace is not fully eliminated: Punjab DGP on anti-drug drive after 3 months of deadline
Chandigarh: Punjab director general of police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Saturday declared that 'Yudh Nashian De Virudh', a three-month-long anti-drug campaign, has achieved "major success," but acknowledged that the drug menace has not been completely eliminated and asserted that the crackdown will "continue relentlessly. " His remarks assume significance in light of chief minister Bhagwant Mann's directive on Feb 28 setting a three-month deadline to make Punjab drug-free. DGP Yadav said that enforcement efforts would persist with full force. He added that fresh and exhaustive lists of drug peddlers and suppliers are being prepared using inputs from district police, the intelligence wing, and the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), with targeted operations planned over the next 60 days. When asked during a press conference on Saturday whether Punjab could now be considered drug-free, Yadav responded: "I can say that drug availability in the state has reduced significantly. There are still pockets where drugs are available, but the earlier perception of easy access no longer holds true." "I cannot say drugs have been totally eliminated because it is a cyclical issue, but significant progress has been made," he added. He further stated that monitoring individuals released on bail is a key focus. "We have devised a system to monitor their activities by involving village elders and panchayats. Cancelling bail for repeat offenders remains a priority," he said. The Punjab Police are also exploring the use of GPS anklets to track the movements of major drug smugglers released on bail. "We are examining the proposal from a legal perspective to track and monitor the movements of bailed-out high-profile smugglers through GPS anklets, subject to approval by the competent court," Yadav noted. Highlighting the role of technology, DGP Yadav said Punjab was the first state in the country to develop the Punjab Artificial Intelligence System (PAIS) in 2019. A new AI-powered hierarchical database is now being developed to map individuals arrested under the NDPS Act and trace backward and forward linkages up to two levels for each case. After successful trials of advanced anti-drone systems along the India-Pakistan border—aimed at combating drone-based smuggling of narcotics, arms, and explosives—the Punjab govt has placed an order to deploy these systems. "These technologies are designed to detect, identify, and neutralise drones, and will significantly disrupt cross-border smuggling networks," he said. Yadav also revealed that the Punjab govt has approved a Rs 500 crore package for the upgradation and modernisation of prisons. Under this plan, each prison will be equipped with a de-addiction centre to provide treatment to inmates battling substance abuse. Since the launch of the campaign on March 1, 2025, Punjab Police registered 8,344 FIRs and arrested 14,734 drug offenders—including 13,038 peddlers and 1,696 listed suppliers/distributors. Due to strict enforcement, substantial seizures have been made, including 586 kg heroin, 247 kg opium, 14 tonne poppy husk, 9 kg charas, 253 kg ganja, 2.5 kg ICE, 1.6 kg cocaine, 25.70 lakh intoxicant pills/tablets and Rs 10.76 crore in drug money. During the 'Yudh Nashian De Virudh' campaign, illegal properties of 144 drug smugglers worth Rs 74.27 crore were frozen, and 104 illegally constructed properties were demolished by local authorities. DGP Yadav noted that the Punjab Police have adopted scientific investigation techniques including digital forensics and financial tracking. Of the 1,205 cases adjudicated during this period, 1,085 ended in conviction—resulting in a conviction rate of 90%, the highest in the country. He further stated that intelligence reports and informal surveys suggest a significant disruption in drug supply chains, leading to a 50% increase in street-level heroin prices and a 40% rise in synthetic drug prices. Repeated and targeted cordon and search operations (CASOs) have forced notorious smugglers to flee, weakening local networks and reducing operational capacity. The police also dealt a blow to drug finances by disrupting hawala networks. With the arrest of 48 major hawala operators and the seizure of Rs 10.76 crore, the economic foundations of many smuggling networks were effectively dismantled. Yadav lauded the Safe Punjab WhatsApp Chatbot (9779100200), calling it a "game-changer" for its confidentiality feature. The chatbot has received 7,635 tips, resulting in 1,596 FIRs and the arrest of 1,814 accused. Underscoring a compassionate approach, he said the Punjab Police treat drug users as patients, not criminals. Under Section 64-A of the NDPS Act, 1,121 individuals caught with small quantities were sent for de-addiction and rehabilitation. Additionally, 5,786 drug users were taken to de-addiction centres, and 6,483 were convinced to seek treatment at OOAT centres. In a new initiative, station house officers (SHOs) will personally engage with individuals released on bail, obtain written pledges to abstain from drugs, and offer medical assistance. Strict action will be taken against repeat offenders, Yadav warned. He also announced the Each One Adopt One programme, where every police officer—from the DGP downward—will adopt a drug user and help with their de-addiction and rehabilitation. "Starting with myself, each officer will voluntarily adopt one drug user, monitor their treatment, and motivate them. I encourage the public to do the same to help bring people back into the mainstream," he urged. Looking ahead, the DGP said village panchayats are being urged to assess the drug situation in their areas. Villages found to be free of drugs will be asked to declare themselves 'nasha mukt' (drug-free), while others will be encouraged to devise strategies to achieve the same. Citizens can report drug-related activities anonymously through the Safe Punjab Helpline: "9779100200".
