Election law offenders face severe consequences from Khanna police

Following the declaration of the 2024 General Election on March 16, the Khanna police have stepped up their crackdown on those who violate the model code of conduct (MCC). This crackdown has been applied to three Assembly segments that are part of the Fatehgarh Sahib Lok Sabha constituency.

The Narcotic narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the Excise Act, and the Arms Act all include provisions that penalize different offenses. Based on the arrests of 149 of these offenders, a significant amount of narcotics, illegal alcohol, drug money, and firearms have been taken into custody by the police.

The police have so far placed 158 history-sheeters and other anti-social elements under preventative arrest in addition to identifying 48 troublemakers. Additionally, the police district, which is a part of the Ludhiana administrative district, has executed 553 of the 564 non-bailable warrants (NBWs), and has detained 114 proclaimed offenders (POs) and absconders.

Nevertheless, over 38% of the 6,445 owners of weapons licenses have not yet turned up their 2,894 licensed firearms to the police, as required by the District Magistrate Sakshi Sawhney’s prohibitory order, which is in effect until March 31.

Khanna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Amneet Kondal has led the district police’s special campaign against poll code violations. He has instructed the police force to strictly enforce the MCC and to permit no deviation from the Election Commission’s guidelines for the conduct of a free, fair, and peaceful general election.

Ten inter-district nakas, or checkposts, have been set up across the boundaries of three police sub-divisions and eight police stations that fall under the Khanna police district to maintain strict vigil on the movement of anti-social elements and check any illegal activity that might affect the smooth conduct of the elections, Amneet told The Tribune here on Friday, sharing the action-taken report. Two of the ten special nakas have been upgraded to high tech and placed under 24-hour CCTV surveillance.

She noted that in addition to holding frequent coordination meetings with counterparts at the district, subdivision, and police station levels, a unique control and distinct WhatsApp number had been enabled to receive, exchange, and send real-time information.

Eight of the 383 polling station locations in the Khanna police district have been identified as vulnerable, and five as critical. The SSP revealed, “As of now, two platoons of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) have been received by us, which are being used as part of the flying squad teams (FSTs) as well as other condition-based maintenance (CBM) purposes.”

According to Amneet, in 100 FIRs filed under the NDPS Act, the Excise Act, and the Arms Act, 149 offenders have been taken into custody so far. From them, a substantial stash of narcotics, alcohol, guns, and drug money have been retrieved.

670 litres of illicit liquor, 7.39 quintals of poppy husk, 321 grammes of heroin, 9.2 kg of opium, 1.5 kg of ganja, 15 grammes of smack, 43 grammes of drug powder, 45 grammes of charas, 12 kg of poppy plants, 46,280 pills and capsules of intoxicating syrups, 20 bottles of intoxicant syrups, Rs 25 lakh unaccounted cash, Rs 40,000 in drug money, 24.32 bore pistols, 29 magazines, and 19 cartridges were among the items recovered.

“On March 30, we conducted a significant operation that resulted in the seizure of Rs 25 lakh in unaccounted cash from a high-tech naka. The Income Tax Department has been tasked with handling the case going forward.”

The district police commander went on to say that of the 46 history sheeters, 48 have been recognized as troublemakers so far, and that of those, 38 have had preventative action taken against them, with the other eight already serving jail sentences.

A total of 120 anti-social elements have been placed in preventive custody under Sections 107, 150, 151, 109, and 110 of the CrPC as part of other preventive action. Of the 564 NBWs received since January 1, 553 have already been executed, and the remaining 11 NBWs are currently being executed as well.

While 479 of these individuals were still at large, 114 wanted offenders were apprehended as a result of the measures taken against POs and absconders. Nevertheless, after the proper legal procedure, 53 POs and absconders had their entries removed from police records.

By releasing information about weapons licenses, the SSP discovered that up to 6,445 holders of weapons licenses had 7,668 licensed weapons in the district, of which 4,774 (or 62% of the total) had already been deposited with the police. The remaining 2,894 licenses had not yet been deposited in accordance with the MCC’s directive or the DM’s prohibitory order.

She has issued an urgent call to all holders of arms licenses who have not yet deposited their permitted firearms: turn them in at the closest police station or post right once, or face legal action.

“A dedicated committee for the purpose of examining firearm licenses and gun houses has been established and is operating effectively,” said Amneet, adding that no gun house was situated within the jurisdiction of the Khanna police district.

SSP Kondal maintains a strict watch

“We are keeping a close eye on things and making sure that the poll code is followed in letter and spirit across the district. Amneet Kondal, SSP, Khanna, said, “In addition to carrying out our regular drills, we have organized flag marches and established special nakas to carry out search and seizure operations in order to guarantee free, fair, and peaceful elections.