Tip-offs on gangsters to earn cash rewards; Punjab Police intensifies crackdown under ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign
Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Punjab Government has authorised Punjab Police personnel to reward genuine informants under the new ‘reward policy’ for sharing information regarding ‘wanted criminals/gangsters’ or their network in the state. It also released a list of 28 most wanted criminals.
Punjab Government under its ongoing ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign to curb gangster activity and strengthen public participation in policing. Under the new policy, financial sanction powers have been delegated to senior police officers to reward informants providing credible intelligence. Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) can approve rewards up to ₹1 lakh, Commissioners of Police/Range IGs/DIGs up to ₹1.5 lakh, Heads of Wings (Special DGPs/ADGPs) up to ₹2 lakh, while amounts exceeding ₹2 lakh will require approval from the Director General of Police (DGP).
According to Pramod Ban, the rewards will be granted only after thorough verification of the information. He emphasized that the identity of informants will remain strictly confidential at all levels to ensure their safety. “The aim is to shut down all avenues for criminals and gangsters operating in the state. The government is committed to going to any extent to achieve this,” he said.
Citizens can share information through the ‘Anti-Gangster Helpline’ at 93946-93946. Informants whose tips lead to the arrest of wanted criminals, proclaimed offenders, or habitual offenders will be eligible for rewards. The initiative is expected to significantly enhance the intelligence network of the Punjab Police and support ongoing operations.
The reward amount will be decided on a case-by-case basis, considering the seriousness of the offence, the risk involved, and the quality of information provided. Officials stated that the programme will further strengthen ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ under Operation Prahaar, ensuring a more targeted crackdown on criminal elements.
Meanwhile, the campaign has already yielded substantial results. Punjab Police have conducted 56,487 raids at identified locations linked to gangster networks across the state. Since the launch of the campaign, 19,894 arrests have been made. Preventive action has been taken against 9,353 individuals, while 15,284 persons were verified and released after questioning. Additionally, 851 proclaimed offenders have been apprehended so far.
Authorities have urged citizens to actively participate by sharing information anonymously, reiterating that public cooperation is crucial to making Punjab a safer and gangster-free state.