Chandigarh: In the wake of a spurt in targeted shootings, extortion threats and other crimes, Chandigarh Police launched a special drive against criminals and habitual offenders, arresting over 2,200 persons under preventive measures between Jan 1 and June 24.According to police data, 16 police stations registered 1,348 kalandras under Sections 126–129 of the BNSS and arrested 2,213 individuals, many of whom were recently released on bail.Following the registration of kalandras, police detained potential troublemakers and produced them before the SDM, who directed them to furnish peace bonds. Depending on the assessment, the SDM could either release them or send them to jail.Police officials said a kalandra is a preventive report submitted to an SDM to maintain public order. It is not an FIR, but a mechanism to pre-empt escalation in non-criminal disputes such as neighbourhood conflicts, public nuisance or property disputes.Sector 31 and Maloya police topped the list with 250 arrests each, followed by Sector 39 (230 arrests), Sector 34 (169), and Industrial Area Phase I (167). Sarangpur police registered 105 kalandras and arrested 129 persons.Other major contributors included Sector 36 (117 arrests), IT Park (115), Manimajra (109), Sector 11 (105), and Sector 26 (103). Sector 17 recorded 69 arrests, Sector 19 (65), Sector 49 (62), and Sector 3 (55) under preventive measures.UT SSP Kanwardeep Kaur said all the arrested 2,213 people under preventive measures have criminal background and some of them had earlier been booked in more than five cases. “The motive behind arresting these repeat offenders is to keep tabs on the movements of criminals,” she added.Earlier, in March, police checked 7,983 vehicles during a special drive, issued 437 challans and impounded 114 vehicles. Special checkpoints continue to be deployed at entry and exit points, crowded areas and other sensitive locations to track suspicious activities.
