Chandigarh: The 'Sampark Abhiyan' initiative of the Punjab Police, which involves officers interacting with residents to address grievances, promote community policing, and combat the drug menace, has evolved into an open dialogue platform for educating the state's youth about the 'dark world' of gangs and gangsters, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav stated on Friday.
Since January, more than 2,800 sessions of this outreach program have been conducted across all 28 districts, drawing participants from various age groups. The positive response has encouraged the police to expand these efforts further, Yadav said.
According to the DGP, insights gathered during the state government-backed 'Gangstran Te Vaar' operation revealed that gangsters lure young individuals with false promises of quick money, material comforts, or opportunities to settle abroad in exchange for committing crimes. He emphasized that these deceptive tactics often go unrecognized initially.
The 'Sampark Abhiyan' sessions aim to provide youngsters with a clearer understanding of these risks. 'Young minds have the potential to build their future and contribute to the state. But we saw how easily they can be misled. It's important that youngsters recognize these traps early,' Yadav added.
The initiative not only addresses grievances but also serves as a preventive measure against gang recruitment, reinforcing the police's commitment to community safety and youth welfare.
