LAHORE: Inspector General of Police retired Captain Arif Nawaz has ordered the field officers to launch a two-week campaign against hardened criminals, proclaimed offenders and court absconders across Punjab.

He directed them to start the drive from April 20 and submit their reports to the Central Police Office (CPO).

The IGP was chairing the regional police’s conference at the CPO through a video link here on Friday, said a handout.

Addressing the conference, the IGP said he would not spare those police officers who would back land grabbers and added that the officers involved in giving undue favour to any party in this regard shall be considered heinous crime.

While discussing a matter of torture in custody and escape of the accused from police stations, Mr Arif asked the RPOs and district police officers (DPOs) to curb such incidents at any cost.

The security plan for Easter and Shab-i-Barat also came under discussion during the conference and the IGP directed the RPOs to make security arrangements at the parks for the Christians and their families besides at the churches.

Taking a notice of punishments to the policemen on minor complaints, he said such culture was demoralising the force and must be discouraged.

The IGP further said all the projects started with the help of information technology specially ambit of police Khidmat Marakiz would be extended to the tehsil level and monitoring and supervision would be ensured to provide more services to public.

“My top priority is to enhance efficiency of force,” IGP Arif Nawaz added.

POSTING: The Punjab government has transferred the services of information group officer Syed Nayab Haider to the police. On the instructions of the IGP, Mr Haider has taken over as the director, public relations.

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2019