Chandigarh: With the Jalandhar Lok Sabha by-poll around the corner, Punjab Police have beefed up the security across the state to ensure a free, fair and peaceful poll, said Special Director General of Police (Special DGP) Law and Order Arpit Shukla here on Monday. The Jalandhar Lok Sabha by-poll is scheduled to be held on May 10, 2023.

Special DGP Arpit Shukla said that following directions of DGP Punjab Gaurav Yadav, CPs/SSPs have been directed to install special nakas and enhance patrolling parties across the state to keep vigil at anti-social elements in their respective jurisdictions. Similarly, SSPs of border districts have been asked to seal the borders by installing inter-state nakas and don’t let anyone enter the state without thorough checking and frisking, he added.

He said that apart from enhancing patrolling, Punjab Police personnel along with Para Military Forces have been carrying out regular flag marches, especially in vulnerable areas, as part of confidence-building measures. The security would be beefed up further, he said.

“We will uphold the glorious tradition of the Punjab Police to ensure free and fair poll,” said the Special DGP.

Pertinently, Punjab Police on Saturday had launched an extensive statewide drive aimed at curbing the sale of illicit liquor and keeping vigil on hooch manufacturers under which 306 Police teams had raided 813 premises of 775 persons, who were found involved in three cases under the Excise Act in the last two years. The Police teams also recovered 1470kg lahan (the raw material used to make liquor), 50 litres of illicit liquor, 403 bottles of illicit liquor and 70 grams of heroin after registering 22 first information reports (FIRs) across the state.

Meanwhile, amidst the ongoing special campaign against proclaimed offenders (PO) after the implementation of the Code of Conduct on March 29, Jalandhar Rural police have successfully arrested 44 POs.