Punjab police told to tighten security ahead of Independence Day events

Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav has announced detailed plans to make sure Independence Day celebrations across the state are safe and peaceful. On Monday, he met with senior police officers to review the security situation, discuss anti-terror strategies, and give clear instructions on how to coordinate efforts between districts.

The DGP stressed that security measures will be especially strict in border areas. These measures include setting up more high-visibility checkpoints, known as nakas, increasing surveillance, and making sure the police are present in large numbers in key locations.

Focus on law and order and anti-drug efforts

DGP Yadav’s visit was part of a fast-paced tour to lead law and order review meetings in important areas. He met with officials from the commissionerates of Amritsar, Jalandhar, and Ludhiana, as well as from the border, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, and Ropar police ranges.

Apart from discussing Independence Day security, he also reviewed the progress of the ongoing anti-drug campaign, Yudh Nashian Virudh (War Against Drugs). He repeated the Punjab Police’s zero-tolerance policy towards drugs and instructed district police chiefs to strictly enforce the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

He praised the progress of the anti-drug campaign so far but asked for even stronger efforts to completely eliminate narcotics from Punjab. This includes targeting not only drug peddlers but also dismantling the entire drug supply system. DGP Yadav directed officers to pay attention to financial investigations, especially to break hawala networks that help fund the drug trade.

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Steps to keep people safe during celebrations

During the meetings, DGP Yadav asked all Commissioners of Police (CPs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) to maintain peace and harmony during the celebrations. He ordered them to increase police presence in high-footfall areas, such as markets and public gathering spots, and to focus on crime-prone places like snatching hotspots.

He also instructed officers to carry out “domination operations” — where police maintain visible control in certain areas — and to use both preventive and detective measures to stop any incidents before they happen. Night-time patrols will be stepped up, and more checkpoints will be set up to keep watch for suspicious activity.

The DGP held direct discussions with officers of all ranks, encouraging them to share their views and challenges openly. He said that better communication and coordination would help the police work more effectively to dismantle drug networks and ensure public safety.

With these measures, the Punjab Police aim to create a secure environment for Independence Day events across the state, while also continuing their fight against drugs and organised crime.