L-G directs police officials to take strict action against antisocial elements and curb sale of ganja in the Union Territory

Lt. Governor directs police to curb antisocial activities and drug sale in Puducherry, emphasizing law enforcement and crime prevention.

At a meeting to review the law and order situation in Puducherry, Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan has directed senior police officers to take effective steps to curb the activities of antisocial elements and the sale of ganja.

The meeting attended by Chief Secretary Sharat Chauhan and Director General of Police Shalini Singh at Raj Nivas, discussed in length measures to be adopted to strengthen law enforcement, improve traffic situation and on implementation of three new criminal laws, sources said.

While appreciating the police for launching the Makkal Mandram, a grievance redressal forum, at police stations on Saturdays in the Union Territory, the Lt. Governor said more steps should be taken to curb the activities of antisocial elements and sale of drugs.

“I am getting positive feedback on Makkal Mandram. Since we are a tourist destination and have a lot of higher educational institutions, more measures should be put in place to crack down on drug peddlers. The activities of rowdy elements should be dealt with an iron hand,” he said at the meeting.

He asked the police and jail authorities to monitor hard-core criminals lodged at Kalapet prison. He even suggested shifting some of the hard-core criminals to prisons outside the Union Territory, said an officer.

The meeting assumed significance as the Opposition in the recent days had made critical remarks against the AINRC- BJP government for its handling of the law and order in the region, especially after the murder of a former functionary of Yuva Morcha, the BJP’s youth wing.

Others who attended the meeting included, Secretary to the Lt. Governor D. Manikandan, Inspector General of Police Ajit Kumar Singla, Deputy Inspector General of Police R. Sathiyasundaram, Law Secretary S. Sathiyamurthy, Senior Superintendent of Police, Law and Order R. Kalaivanan.