SPL DGP ARPIT SHUKLA CALLS FOR GREATER SYNERGY BETWEEN PUNJAB POLICE, BSF & CENTRAL AGENCIES TO ENSURE FREE AND FAIR PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

Special Director General of Police (Spl DGP) Law and Order Arpit Shukla on Thursday outlined a foolproof plan with the Border Security Force (BSF) to further strengthen the second line of defence and completely break the supply chain of drugs from across the border in order to ensure free, fair and peaceful upcoming General Elections in 2024.
According to him, the BSF must be more vigilant because it is the first line of defence against attempts at smuggling and infiltration by terrorists, militants, or smugglers. Additionally, he gave the order to increase the number of police officers stationed at the international border for nighttime patrols.

	The BSF was advised by the Spl DGP to employ drone detection technologies in order to prevent the drone activities at the borders of Punjab, which have become the new way that drugs are smuggled across the border. Additionally, he gave the order for all border district SSPs to hold frequent meetings with Village Level Defence Committee (VLDC) members in order to raise awareness among field employees and VLDC members of the need to maintain a close eye on drone activity.According to the data, 325 drones were sighted over the border in 2023, with 118 of them being successfully recovered. Likewise, 26 drones have been found thus far in 2024.


	Spl DGP Arpit Shukla provided information on the security setup for the approaching Lok Sabha Elections, stating that the state has increased security and that Punjab Police has mobilised 50% of their police force from other units and 75% of their police force from district police for use during the polls.In order to combat the threat of alcohol and drug smuggling, he stated that the Punjab Police had already installed well-coordinated, powerful inter-state nakas at all sealing sites of the state's ten border districts. Pathankot, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Fazilka, Ropar, SAS Nagar, Patiala, Sangrur, Mansa, Hoshiarpur, and Bathinda are among the ten inter-state border districts.
 
In terms of the security setup for the impending Lok Sabha Elections, Punjab Police has deployed 50% of its police force from other units and 75% of its district police force, according to Spl DGP Arpit Shukla. Security has also been stepped up throughout the state.
	In order to combat the threat of alcohol and drug smuggling, he stated that the Punjab Police had already installed well-coordinated, powerful inter-state nakas at all sealing sites of the state's ten border districts. Pathankot, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Fazilka, Ropar, SAS Nagar, Patiala, Sangrur, Mansa, Hoshiarpur, and Bathinda are among the ten inter-state border districts.

	According to him, the state's 25 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been stationed in high-risk locations to dominate sensitive and hyper-sensitive areas and inspire public confidence. Among the 25 companies are five Coys of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), 15 Coys of the Border Security Force (BSF), and five Coys of the Central Reserved Police Forces (CRPF).