SAS Nagar, March 8: As part of the state-wide campaign against drug war, in a sustained effort to tackle drug trafficking and their illegal encroachments, the District Police in collaboration with Municipal Council Kharr has demolished unauthorized structures built on panchayat land (now part of Kharr Municipality) encroached by the family of a drug trafficker in Jandpur village of the district. Apart from illegally occupying and erecting a structure, several FIRs have been registered against the drug trafficker, including three under the NDPS and one under the Excise Act.
Giving details during a media briefing, Senior Superintendent of Police Deepak Pareek said that the demolition was done at the request of Kharar Municipality, which sought police assistance to remove illegal encroachments. According to official records, there are seven FIRs against the accused and his family members between 1999 and 2014, including three NDPS Act cases.
The operation was carried out by the MC officials with the help of the police and it was ensured that the illegal structures were demolished smoothly. Adequate personnel were deployed to prevent any disturbance. Officials confirmed that the land was indeed stolen by MC Kharr and was illegally occupied by the accused. The MC had issued a final notice to the three illegal occupants on March 7, setting a time limit of six hours under Section 172 of the Punjab Municipal Act, 1911.
The SSP reiterated that keeping in mind the commitment of the Punjab government led by Mr. Bhagwant Singh Mann to take strict action against persons involved in drug trade, the action of the city council has been supported by the police as there are three cases of NDPS of persons related to unauthorized occupiers. He assured the people that no one will be spared till the drug problem is completely eradicated.
He said that there will be no leniency with people involved in drug trafficking. He said that strict action against those involved in drug trafficking will also affect other bad elements and they will refrain from doing any such anti-social activities.