Chandigarh: Emphasising technology-driven policing and faster convictions as the cornerstones of modern law enforcement, Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday presented the President’s Police Colour to Chandigarh Police and announced that the city would receive 2,152 additional AI-enabled surveillance cameras to strengthen its security network. He also expressed confidence that Chandigarh Police would become the first police force in the country to earn the distinction of being drug-free.Shah was the chief guest at the 60th Chandigarh Police Raising Day parade at the Police Lines in Sector 26 and took the salute from the marching contingents.Addressing police personnel, Shah said around 2,130 CCTV cameras were already operational across the city. The addition of 2,152 AI-enabled cameras, being provided by the Centre, would substantially expand surveillance coverage, enabling the police to better monitor suspicious activities and prevent crime.Highlighting Chandigarh Police’s performance under the new criminal laws, Shah said 8,206 FIRs had been registered since August 4, 2024. Of these, 7,590 cases, nearly 92.5%, had seen chargesheets filed online.He said the force had achieved an overall conviction rate of about 85%, with convictions secured in an average of 140 days. In cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the conviction rate stood at 93%, he added.“These figures demonstrate the transformative potential of the new criminal laws when implemented effectively,” Shah said, praising Chandigarh Police’s crackdown on drug trafficking and gangster networks. He expressed confidence that the city would emerge as a national model in the fight against narcotics.Underscoring the force’s emergency response capabilities, Shah said Chandigarh Police maintained an average response time of around four minutes, while quick response teams could reach an incident spot in about 10 minutes. The integration of technology, improved investigation and swift response mechanisms would further enhance public safety, he added.141 new vehicles added to police fleetShah also flagged off 141 vehicles for Chandigarh Police. The fleet includes 50 Bajaj Pulsar motorcycles, 42 TVS Apache motorcycles, 20 Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycles, 13 pink scooters, nine Mahindra Boleros, seven Maruti Ertigas, two Mahindra Scorpios, two Tata Yodha mini-trucks and three small buses.He said a total of 154 new vehicles had been added to the UT police fleet in 2026 to strengthen patrolling, mobility and emergency response.Congratulating the force on being awarded the President’s Police Colour, Shah said the honour recognised six decades of discipline, dedication and service since Chandigarh Police was established in 1966.He urged police personnel to intensify the campaign against drugs and protect the younger generation from addiction. A drug-free Chandigarh, he said, would contribute to the broader vision of a developed India.Kataria lauds implementation of new criminal lawsPunjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria also addressed the gathering, commending Chandigarh Police for its performance and effective implementation of the three new criminal laws.“Chandigarh is fortunate that the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam were launched from here. Their effective implementation has enhanced policing efficiency, with Chandigarh recording a response time of 4 minutes 33 seconds and a conviction rate of around 93% in NDPS cases,” Kataria said.He added that the timely filing of chargesheets and successful prosecution of drug offenders reflected the force’s commitment to effective policing and the goal of creating a drug-free society.
