CHANDIGARH – In a decisive move to restore public order and eliminate organized crime, the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has officially implemented a high-level “Reward Policy.” The initiative is designed to empower citizens to assist the Punjab Police in tracking down the state’s most dangerous fugitives and dismantling entrenched gangster syndicates.
The policy serves as a critical intelligence-gathering arm for ‘Operation Prahar’ and the ongoing ‘Gangsters te Vaar’ (Strike Against Gangsters) campaign.
Financial Incentives for Public Cooperation
To ensure the effectiveness of the scheme, the government has established a tiered reward structure. This allows various levels of police leadership to sanction pay-outs based on the gravity of the information provided:
| Authority Level | Maximum Reward Amount |
| Senior Superintendents of Police (SSP) | Up to ₹1 Lakh |
| Police Commissioners / Range IGs & DIGs | Up to ₹1.5 Lakhs |
| Heads of Specialized Wings (Special DGPs/ADGPs) | Up to ₹2 Lakhs |
| Director General of Police (DGP) | Exceeding ₹2 Lakhs |
Note: Rewards are disbursed exclusively for “accurate and authentic” information that leads to the arrest of wanted criminals or proclaimed offenders.
Zero-Tolerance for Crime: The State’s Strategy
The Punjab Police recently released a list of the 28 most-wanted criminals as the primary targets of this policy. Government officials emphasized that fostering public participation is the missing link in completely curbing crime across the state.
Informant Safety and Confidentiality
A cornerstone of this historic decision is the absolute protection of those who come forward. The government has issued the following guarantees:
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Total Anonymity: The identity of every informant will be kept strictly confidential.
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Proactive Protection: The state has pledged to take every necessary measure to ensure the safety of citizens providing tips.
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Helpline Access: A dedicated Anti-Gangster Helpline has been established at 93946-93946 for sharing information or crime-related suggestions.
‘Gangsters te Vaar’ by the Numbers
The implementation of the Reward Policy follows a period of intense kinetic operations by the Punjab Police. Recent data highlights the massive scale of the ongoing crackdown:
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56,487 Raids: Conducted statewide at locations linked to known gangster networks.
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19,894 Arrests: Total individuals apprehended since the start of the campaign.
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851 Proclaimed Offenders: Major fugitives successfully brought into custody.
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9,353 Preventive Actions: Proactive measures taken against individuals suspected of criminal intent.
A Call to Action
The Punjab Police has issued a public appeal, urging residents to cooperate in making the state crime-free. “The safety of every citizen is our responsibility,” the government stated, adding that while all information will undergo rigorous verification, the contribution of the public is essential for the success of Operation Prahar.
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