Ensure gangsters give up crime or leave Haryana

Faced with the criticism over the rising incidents of organized crime in the state, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini has issued firm instructions to the top officers of the state police, giving them a free hand to eliminate gangsters and restore law and order.

- NEERAJ MOHAN

Highly placed sources said that during a high-level meeting held recently and attended by Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapur and senior law enforcement officials, the chief minister directed them to go any extent to make the state free from gangsters.

The sources said the chief minister directed officers to launch a special drive against gangsters who are actively behind the organized crime in the state. The chief minister has told the police chief that "not even a single gangster should remain active in the state."

"Ensure that either the gangsters give up crime or leave the state," the chief minister is believed to have told police officials.

"During the meeting, the chief minister also emphasized that law and order is his government's top priority and he directed the Home Department to ensure a visible, people-friendly yet fearsome police presence across Haryana", said a senior official.

The crackdown comes on the heels of rising criticism over the rise in gangster-related violence, particularly targeting the state's lucrative liquor trade.