The Punjab government has posted ADGP Promod Ban as the head of the Anti-Gangster Task Force, set up to wipe out gangster networks across the state.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday state police chief VK Bhawra to establish a full-fledged Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) headed by a police officer of additional director-general (ADGP) rank.

The AGTF would have integrated collection of intelligence, manning and execution of operations, registrations of FIRs, investigation and prosecution on the lines of similar specialised units in the country, Mann said.

Two days later, the state government posted ADGP, Special Crimes and Economic Offences Wing, Promod Ban as the ADGP of the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF).

“Promod Ban posted as ADGP of Anti Gangster Task Force which will focus on intelligence-based operations and play a coordinating role. Police Department initiates several administrative, short term and punitive measures to strengthen law & order machinery,” the Chief Minister’s Office in Punjab tweeted on Thursday.

It also ordered to post AIG, Organised Crime Control Unit, Gurmeet Singh Chauhan as the AIG of the AGTF, and CP, Ludhiana, Gurpreet Singh Bhullar as the DIG of the AGTF, according to an official statement

DSP Kharar Bikramjit Singh Brar has been given the additional charge of the DSP of AGTF, it stated.

While the task force would focus on intelligence-based operations and play a coordinating role, Mann on Thursday said he expected the CPs and the SSPS to launch a major thrust against gangsters by briefing police officers under them, conducting analysis of crime data, identifying absconding gangsters and carrying out anti-gangster operations.

“CM Bhagwant Mann asks CPs and SSPs to play a frontal role in the war against gangsters. CM exhorts officers to launch concerted drive to eradicate gangsterism. Says, officers to be held personally liable for breach of law and order within their jurisdiction,” the CMO said.