Jaipur, July 13 (IANS) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Monday directed the Police Department to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards crime, making it clear that Range Inspectors General (IGs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) will be held directly accountable for maintaining law and order in their respective jurisdictions.

Chairing a high-level review meeting at his residence, the Chief Minister instructed police officers to move beyond routine arrests and focus on dismantling the entire networks involved in organised crime, drug trafficking, cybercrime and illegal arms smuggling.

He stressed that police action should be swift, decisive and stringent enough to deter criminals from committing offences. During the review, Sharma sought explanations from the concerned police officials regarding recent criminal incidents in Alwar, Sri Ganganagar and Bharatpur. Acting on his directions, a notice was also issued to a senior officer in connection with the encroachment of pasture land in Gogunda. The Chief Minister observed that although organised crime and firing incidents have declined compared to 2023, the pace of reduction needs to be accelerated further.

He cautioned that even a single major criminal incident can adversely affect public confidence as well as the state’s image. To curb organised crime, Sharma directed the Police Department to launch special campaigns against the illegal arms supply chain, particularly in districts reporting a higher number of Arms Act cases. He instructed that investigations should trace weapons back to their suppliers and masterminds, ensuring that the entire criminal network is dismantled.

Emphasising the need to weaken the financial and social influence of criminal elements, the Chief Minister ordered strict action against land mafia activities, hawala transactions and other illegal sources of funding. He also directed officials to expedite the attachment, seizure and demolition of illegally acquired properties belonging to drug traffickers. On cybercrime, Sharma instructed police to intensify cyber patrolling and strengthen cyber cells with specialised personnel. He called for prompt action against digital arrest scams and online financial fraud, stating that no cybercrime network should be allowed to operate from Rajasthan.

Describing crimes against women and children as matters of the highest priority, the Chief Minister directed police to ensure speedy investigation, swift prosecution and strict punishment for offenders while maintaining sensitivity towards victims. He further instructed all Range IGs and SPs to personally review pending cases related to the NDPS Act, organised crime, gangsters, history-sheeters and illegal arms, and ensure their disposal within the stipulated timelines.

Officers, he said, would be held accountable wherever the expected outcomes are not achieved. The Chief Minister also directed that Community Liaison Group (CLG) meetings be conducted regularly in every district to strengthen public-police coordination. He instructed Police Headquarters to monitor these meetings and ensure timely action on issues raised by citizens.

The meeting was attended by senior officials of the Chief Minister’s Office, the Home Department and the Police Department, including the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, while Range IGs and SPs from across the state participated through videoconferencing.

–IANS

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