‘We have kept tabs on crimes with available resources’: Gurpreet Singh Bhullar

Does the police have any plans to take help of modern technology to keep an eye on security?

Yes, we are working on a project to install CCTV cameras which I feel is one of the effective tools to keep a watch on the activities of anti-social elements. So far, 6,000 CCTV cameras have been installed in the district while the work is on for installation of cameras at several sensitive
locations.

Apart from installing CCTV cameras, how is the police administration planning to keep a tab on the growing population?

The state government has recently sanctioned six new police stations in the district. After they are set up, the burden on the existing police stations will reduce considerably. It will also help to control crime as well as strengthen the security in the district.

What is the police administration doing to strengthen the force?

We have already sent a proposal for sanctioning of new force in the district and soon the decision in this regard will be made by the government.

The Mohali police is yet to provide online services to people. When will these services start?

We have taken several initiatives. Some of our services are better than the neighbouring forces. If we talk about the 181 helpline number, Mohali police is the best in the state to respond to calls and resolve the issues. We have a very good SMS service via which we inform people who have applied for passports. As far as the online services are concerned, the state government is taking many steps regarding this and whenever we are asked to implement any such project we do our best.

Mohali police is always criticised for going slow against the drunk drivers, over speeding and other traffic violations. Are there any plans to curb this problem?

We recently held meetings with Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) and Municipal Corporation (MC) regarding this. We have asked them to repair the traffic lights, roads and some black spots which were identified by the police. As far as drunk driving is concerned we are overhauling our system. The work is on. We have also asked both GMADA and MC to provide some equipments to the traffic police and the talks are in the final stage.

Has the police started any drive against drug addiction in the district?

Yes, infact the drive is still going on. We held many awareness programmes to convince drug addicts to join the mainstream and get admitted into drug de-addiction centers. As of now, we have admitted 30 drug addicts in rehabilitation centers. We are also talking to panchayats and have sought their support.

Since most part of the district is rural, do you think it poses a security issue?

Yes, it does. But with the start of Rapid Rural Police Response Teams, the problem will be sorted out. Now, the people living in villages will get help from the PCR team at crime scenes within 20 minutes.