Sangrur SSP Mandeep Singh Sidhu has said that though the district has always been in the news for law and order problems, his force did well to keep a check on crime and lawlessness in the district.
Sandhu told the Hindustan times, what Sangrur police was doing to make Sangrur and Punjab drug and riots free. Excerpts:
Q) what is the big challenge before the police to put a complete check on cross boarder drug peddling?
Riots, protests and other major events, which require heavy police deployment can be cited as a big hurdle to put a complete check over drug smuggling. Due to riots and other incidents the police have to divert its focus and energy, which helps drug paddlers. But still we are doing our best and in the past one year my posting in the district we have managed to bust several drug rackets.
Q) What are the step being taken by Sangrur police to make the district and Punjab drug free?
Drug is the major challenge for Sangrur and Punjab state as well. But I am happy to tell you than in the last one year the district police have managed to bring several drug paddlers in the net. Whether it is the recovery of 3700 kg of poppy husk or 21 kg of opium the Sangrur police have made biggest ever recoveries of drugs in Sangrur and arrested 1600 people involved in drug paddling and other crimes since May 13.
Q. How are you planning to make Muslim dominated and hyper-sensitive Malerkotla riots free?
Ans. From the day one (of posting) Malerkotla always remained a big challenge for the police, as several incidents including communal riots have taken place in the Malerkotla town. But I can assure that people of Malerkotala are peace loving but sometimes some anti-social elements manage to harm peace in the town, now we are planning to install CCTV cameras in 27 sensitive locations of the town. As the deputy chief minister has already approved this project we are hopeful that theproject will be completed before lok sabha polls.
Q. Is the installation of CCTV cameras helping to increase policing in the district?
Ans. Yes the installation of CCTV cameras helping the police. I am quite happy that in last one year we have managed to persuade people to help police by installing CCTV cameras in their properties. As hundereds of CCTV cameras have been installed in Dhuri, Sangrur and Sunam still we are urging people to protect their properties by installing CCTV Cameras.
Q. How are you planning to make Muslim dominated and hyper-sensitive Malerkotla riots free?
Ans. From the day one (of posting) Malerkotla always remained a big challenge for the police, as several incidents including communal riots have taken place in the Malerkotla town. But I can assure that people of Malerkotala are peace loving but sometimes some anti-social elements manage to harm peace in the town, now we are planning to install CCTV cameras in 27 sensitive locations of the town. As the deputy chief minister has already approved this project we are hopeful that theproject will be completed before lok sabha polls.
Q. Is the installation of CCTV cameras helping to increase policing in the district?
Ans. Yes the installation of CCTV cameras helping the police. I am quite happy that in last one year we have managed to persuade people to help police by installing CCTV cameras in their properties. As hundereds of CCTV cameras have been installed in Dhuri, Sangrur and Sunam still we are urging people to protect their properties by installing CCTV Cameras.
Q. Do you think that alleged nexus of powerful politicians with the drug racketeers causing a hurdle for the police.
Ans. I don't think so. The district police were totally free to arrest any persons involved in any kind of crime. Though we have busted several drug rackets and arrested many drug smugglers we never faced any problem in our work.