Anti-drug STF in downsizing mode, to focus on range level

WILL REPATRIATE 85 COPS TO DGP OFFICE; TO ASSIST DISTRICT POLICE TO CRACK DOWN ON PEDDLERS

CHANDIGARH: In a strategy shift, the anti-drug special task force (STF) has decided to return 85 cops deployed with it to the Punjab director general of police (DGP) office.

The STF, which was at loggerheads with the DGP office for less deployment of cops when additional director general of police (ADGP) Harpreet Sidhu was its head, has decided to go for rationalisation after DGP Mohammad Mustafa took over its reins on September 8.

“The STF’s job is to chalk out a strategy to catch big fish. We will now assist the district police and not focus in districts to ban small-time peddlers. After calculations, we found that we are overstaffed and decided to send 85 cops back to the DGP office,” said Mustafa. The STF has 520 cops at present.

Mustafa’s predecessor had shot off letters to the DGP office seeking more cops for the task force. But the request was ignored leading to a tussle between the STF and DGP office.

In a proposal forwarded to the DGP office, Mustafa said an assistant inspector general-rank officer would head the STF at the rage level with two DSP-rank officers and other staff of around 50 cops. Earlier, this structure headed by an AIG was posted at the district level. Punjab Police have seven ranges. The STF is short of three AIGs. “We have requested the DGP to post more AIGs in the STF,” said Mustafa.

“Even if we get more cops, we cannot match the district police which have 400 stations and a well-established network,” said an IG posted with the STF.

ANTI-NARCOTICS CELL TO BE SET UP

The STF’s idea of downsizing has gained strength from its decision to set up an anti-narcotics cell at the district level. “We have revived these cells. An inspector from the district police would head this cell. This cell would work in close coordination with the STF,” said Mustafa.