The Uttarakhand Police have intensified the search for four absconding accused in the killing of a retired Army brigadier in Dehradun earlier this week, even as a wider crackdown, named ‘Operation Prahar’, was launched in the state capital following the incident, officials said.
Seven police teams are working to trace the accused, SP City Pramod Kumar said on Tuesday. “We are close to arresting the absconding accused,” SSP Pramendra Dobhal added. The police have so far arrested four persons from both groups in connection with the incident.
The crackdown was initiated after the killing of 74-year-old retired Brigadier MK Joshi, who served in the Corps of Military Intelligence. He was on his routine morning walk near Johri village on Monday when he was caught in the crossfire between occupants of two SUVs during a high-speed chase triggered by a late-night brawl at a club on Mussoorie Road.
The decision to launch the crackdown was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by director general of police Deepam Seth at the police headquarters on Tuesday evening.
Senior officers, including IG Garhwal Rajiv Swarup, IG STF Nilesh Anand Bharne, Dehradun SSP Dobhal and SSP STF Ajai Singh, attended the meeting.
During the meeting, the DGP issued directives to enhance policing and ensure accountability in the state capital. The IG Garhwal has been tasked with daily monitoring of the law and order situation, while the SSP has been directed to assign clear responsibilities to subordinate officers.
Circle officers and station house officers have been asked to remain active in the field, increase police visibility in identified hotspots and ensure intensive checking at barriers, with special emphasis on early morning hours.
The IG STF and SSP STF have been directed to launch targeted action against active criminal elements in Dehradun. The police will also conduct checks of PG accommodations and tenants and monitor activities in homestays. Strict action has been ordered against bars and pubs operating beyond permissible hours.
“Following directions from the DGP, we have launched ‘Operation Prahar’ to curb crime in the city. During the drive, strict action will be taken against hooliganism, criminal elements, and any unlawful activities. We will also take action against bars and pubs that operate permissible limits,” Dobhal said, adding that intensified checking and enforcement measures will be carried out across the district.
Dobhal also chaired a meeting with owners and operators of pubs, bars and restaurants, warning of strict action in case of violations. He said no establishment should operate beyond prescribed timings and any violation would lead to cases and recommendation for cancellation of licences.
He directed owners to ensure 100% police verification of staff and submit complete details, warning of action if any employee with a criminal background is found working at such establishments.
On Tuesday night, multiple police teams conducted raids and checking drives across the city. Teams raided hideouts of individuals previously involved in drug abuse and illicit liquor trade in areas including the railway station, Madrasi Colony and Tyagi Road.
During a raid in Madrasi Colony, police arrested one accused and recovered 57 quarters of illicit country liquor and ₹2 lakh in cash. The accused failed to explain the source of the money, following which it was seized. A case under the Excise Act was also registered.
Police said the accused had earlier been jailed in connection with illicit liquor smuggling and has four cases against him, while his wife has eight similar cases. Both have also faced action under the Goonda Act.
As part of the drive, police arrested 14 people for drunk driving and seized their vehicles. Additionally, 21 persons found roaming unnecessarily at night were detained under Section 172 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and taken to the police station for questioning.
“Our campaign against crime and criminal elements will continue in the coming days,” Dobhal said.
