CHANDIGARH: Haryana police are planning to launch a fortnight-long crack-down, beginning May 1, on illicit liquor, narcotics and weapons, crimes against women, drunken driving and over-speeding. All possible entry points would be plugged to stop gangsters from sneaking into Haryana from Uttar Pradesh, and focus would be laid on redress of complaints during the campaign.
Haryana director general of police (DGP) BS Sandhu said, “Operation Durga, aimed at checking eve-teasing in the State, would be carried out at places like schools, colleges, bus-stands and railway stations. It would be a continuous movement. He clarified that the anti-Romeo operation would not be an act of moral policing and the innocent would not be humiliated.’’
“If a couple is sitting in a park and talking they will not be harassed,’’ he said.
Sandhu said that the deciding the number of teams for the operation has been left to the district superintendent of police (DSP) and police commissioners. It will depend from district to district, and big districts like Gurugram will have a larger team. Police personnel will be in both civil clothes and in uniform including women personnel.
Sandhu also added that CCTV cameras and cameras mounted on police vehicles will be installed outsides places like girls colleges and busy markets to keep a tab on such elements. “Operation Durga was carried across the State for only one day, now it will be a daily feature,’’ he said.
He also said, on a question on cow smuggling, that violation of the 'Gau Sanrakshan Avam Gau Samwardhan' law would not be allowed, and action would be initiated against anyone taking the law into their own hands. There has been a reduction in cases of cow smuggling after the law came into force.
Referring to the supply of drugs, he said an eye would be kept on educational institutions and drug suppliers and distributors would be nabbed.
Sandhu said that directions have been issued to keep a check on the entry of gangsters in Haryana from Uttar Pradesh, who could sneak in when the water level in the Yamuna river goes down in April, May and June. Directions have been issued to keep a check on pucca roads as well as on other routes used by gangsters to enter.
On a question regarding the proposed agitation by INLD leader, Abhay Singh Chautala, from July 10, Sandhu said in a democracy, every political party had the right to present its viewpoint, but action would be taken if it took the law in its own hands.
He said that the order had been placed with the Haryana State electronics development corporation limited (HARTRON), to provide online e-challan machines to effectively implement the e-challan system in all districts. Presently, more than 100 such machines are available in the State.
Asked about women police stations, Sandhu said the working of women police stations would be reviewed and the shortcomings removed. Replying to another question, he said there was a shortage of 14,000 police personnel but recruitment process of 5,000 constables, including 1,000 women and 1,000 ex-servicemen, was under process.
Regarding the zero tolerance policy he said the registration of cases of crimes against women had increased.
Referring to cyber crime, he said, "It is a sensitive matter and a cyber cell is operational to deal with such cases. Soon a cyber police station would be set up at Moginand in Panchkula district, which would deal with cyber related cases."
Budgetary allocation has already been made and staff with specific qualifications would be recruited through outsourcing. Police rules will also be reviewed to further improve the department’s efficiency.
Sandhu said action would be initiated against police officers and other officials in the job who use electricity connections in an unauthorised manner, and their house allotment would be cancelled. "Initially such officers and officials would be warned, but if they persist, their allotment would be cancelled," he added.
Asked about illegal mining in Haryana, Sandhu said departments like transport, police, mining and the district administrations would work together to ensure implementation of the Act to stop this menace. Effective checking is being done and instructions for night checking have been issued. He also added that a complete check has been put on illegal mining.