Jammu, Jan 23: Following a daylight shootout that resulted in the death of a gangster in the city’s center, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Jammu Zone, Shiv Kumar Sharma convened a meeting on Thursday to emphasize the necessity of compiling a list of gangsters and dismantling their financial systems.
During the meeting concerning gangsters and criminals in Jammu, Kathua, and Samba Districts, the DIG highlighted the importance of taking decisive measures against gangsters and anti-social elements.
He instructed officers to maintain a comprehensive list to enable effective monitoring of their activities, paving the way for actions under the Public Safety Act.
“Disrupt their financial networks, confiscate the assets they have amassed through illicit activities such as extortion, land grabbing, and fraudulent property dealings,” he asserted.
The DIG also urged officers to keep an eye on the support systems surrounding these criminals and take action against their associates, relatives, and friends who offer them shelter.
Additionally, he instructed all officers to initiate a significant crackdown on vehicles that have undergone illegal modifications (including those with tinted windows, modifications for a criminal appearance, excessive noise, or missing number plates).
The DIG emphasized the need for stringent legal actions against individuals found in possession of illegal firearms or engaging in land grabbing. He urged that cases related to land grabs and extortion be treated with utmost seriousness, advocating for immediate legal action against anyone who poses a threat to public safety.
He called upon parents, civil society, and responsible citizens to actively participate in raising awareness against criminals and gangsters, urging community support for police efforts to dismantle their networks, as such elements are detrimental to maintaining a peaceful environment. The officer further stressed the importance of protecting youth and students from falling prey to these criminals, who often glamorize illicit activities.
In the meantime, Sharma assessed the security landscape ahead of the upcoming Republic Day, underscoring the need for careful planning and implementation of security measures to mitigate potential threats and challenges.
All officers were instructed to enhance security checkpoints, particularly in border regions during the early hours and at night, and to identify additional locations for establishing more checkpoints.
The DIG emphasized the importance of maintaining strong communication with intelligence agencies within their jurisdictions and sharing relevant information in real time.
