"We have given our police administration a free hand": Haryana CM Saini on law and order

Panchkula (Haryana) [India], June 18 (ANI): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday reaffirmed his government's tough stance on law and order, stating that the police have been given full authority to take strict action against anyone trying to disturb peace in the state.
Speaking to reporters, CM Saini said, "We have given our police administration a free hand; it is our responsibility to maintain law and order in the state. If any person harms the law and order, then we have told the police that you can take strict action."
The Chief Minister's remarks come amid political tensions in Haryana after Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Abhay Singh Chautala criticised the government over its handling of law and order. Hitting back, Saini said, "He should remember his tenure, what kind of tenure it was. People have suffered ..."
Earlier in the day, CM Saini chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the prevailing law and order situation in the state and took stock of the ongoing excise auctions.
While issuing stern directives to the Home Department to launch a 'High Octane drive' against criminals and ensure a responsive police presence across Haryana, the Chief Minister declared that maintaining a robust law and order was the government's utmost priority, as per a press release.
The Chief Minister expressed concern over the reported incident of murder of an excise licensee in Kurukshetra and directed the DGP to take prompt action against the culprits.
Nayab Singh Saini also requested the DGP to take immediate steps to provide security to all citizens who reported threats and extortion calls, and to issue a dedicated phone number for such reporting, linking it with 112, as mentioned.
While reviewing the performance of the Excise & Taxation Department, the CM also directed officers to complete the auction process and ensure the due revenue was realised.
In the excise auction, the state was able to auction the majority of the excise zones, with 934 excise zones auctioned and securing a significantly higher revenue of Rs. 11,054 crore, compared to last year's Rs. 5,037 crore. The excise auctions had so far attracted a good response, mentioned the press release.
He also directed that the State Task Force (STF) be provided with more manpower and resources to expedite the resolution of all pending cases within a strict time-bound framework, leaving no gangster or unpunished offender at large. (ANI)