Chandigarh, June 29: With the Congress government in Punjab drawing flak for being unable to curb the drugs menace, Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Suresh Arora on Friday issued strict directives to the field police officers to crack down on the activities of gangsters and drug smugglers.

The DGP told the police officers that they would be held accountable for any drug smuggling in their areas.

The directives were issued at a meeting of senior police officers at the Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur, around 150 km from here, on Friday.

The meeting was convened by the DGP to review the current security scenario, and the law and order situation in the state.

Issues relating to terrorist activities, radicalization of youth for anti-national activities, action against drug smugglers and gangsters were on top of the agenda.

"Reviewing the action by field units against drug smugglers, the DGP issued stringent instructions for all field officers to ensure that supply lines of drugs in their respective areas are completely plugged.

"Citing the Amarinder Singh-led government's zero tolerance policy toward drugs, the DGP warned against any complacency on the issue," a police spokesman said here.

He ordered all field officers to carry out systematic financial investigations into illegally acquired assets and properties by such smugglers and initiate the process of seizing them.

Amarinder Singh, before becoming chief minister in March last year, had taken a religious pledge to wipe out drugs from Punjab within four weeks of coming to power.

Questions are being raised on the government now as drug abuse continues unabated across Punjab, especially among youth and people in rural areas.

As per reports, 23 deaths linked to drug abuse have been reported from Punjab in June itself.

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Bengaluru: As part of ongoing work at Yeshwantpur railway yard, four train pairs will be cancelled from April 4 to 11, 2025.

According to an official release, the following trains will be canceled during this period:

April 3: Yesvantpur-Pandharpur Express (Train No. 16541)
April 4: Yesvantpur-Dr MGR Chennai Central Express (Train No. 12291), Yesvantpur-Puducherry Express (Train No. 16573), Pandharpur-Yesvantpur Express (Train No. 16542)
April 5: Dr MGR Chennai Central-Yesvantpur Express (Train No. 12292), Puducherry-Yesvantpur Express (Train No. 16574), Yesvantpur-Bidar Express (Train No. 16578)
April 6: Bidar-Yesvantpur Express (Train No. 16577)
April 10: Yesvantpur-Pandharpur Express (Train No. 16541)
April 11: Pandharpur-Yesvantpur Express (Train No. 16542)

Additionally, from April 1 to 10, the KSR Bengaluru-Kannur Express (Train No. 16511) will be diverted. It will originate and terminate at SMVT Bengaluru instead of KSR at 8:00 PM. The train will take an alternative route via SMVT Bengaluru, Banaswadi, Hebbal, and Chikbanavar.

Passengers are advised to check for updates and make alternative travel arrangements.