LAHORE: Inspector General of Police Inam Ghani has directed the field police officers to intensify province-wide operations against the fugitives and anti-social elements to eliminate networks of the nefarious gangs of criminals.

Chairing a meeting at the Central Police Office (CPO) here on Tuesday, he directed the regional police officers (RPOs) and district police officers (DPOs) to show zero tolerance towards illegal occupation of public and private lands and properties across the province.

The operation should be intensified against those influential people serving as government officers or retired who support and shelter such criminal elements, he said.

The IGP further said the professionalism of investigation based on modern technology is one of the top priorities of Punjab police. Therefore, close monitoring of the performance of all Regional Monitoring Units (RMUs) of the province to monitor investigation matters must be ensured so that every case registered is digitally monitored and the progress and stages of investigation are also monitored in accordance with the prescribed SOPs.

He said there was no place in the force for corruption and abuse of power and full action should be taken against such elements so that the process of self-accountability could be made more effective.

In addition, all RPOs and DPOs should investigate the cases of child and woman abuse under their supervision, while geo-fencing, forensic science and modern investigation tools should also be used to investigate other serious crimes including murder and rape.

Special emphasis should be made to expedite the process of bringing the accused persons involved in these crimes to justice.

Crackdown for arrest of thugs and drug dealers should be made more effective under the supervision of senior officers.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2021