The fear of police encounters led by Punjab’s Crime Control Department (CCD) has prompted a wave of repentance among criminals, with many posting public apology videos on social media, pleading for forgiveness and distancing themselves from their past crimes.
In a wave of law enforcement activity, CCD’s recent operations have pressured notorious gangsters, land grabbers, drug dealers, and habitual offenders across Punjab to surrender or publicly renounce their criminal activities.
Several viral videos have emerged in which known offenders are seen appealing for mercy, stating they have abandoned the world of crime. "Spare us, we will not engage in illegal activities again," one such video message declared.
DIG Operations Faisal Kamran stated that the stronger the clampdown, the more effective the results. "The zero-tolerance policy against criminals is yielding significant outcomes," he said.
According to police data, over 500 alleged police encounters have taken place across Punjab so far this year under CCD. At least 430 suspected criminals have been killed, many of whom were reportedly in police custody before the encounters.
Officials believe this aggressive stance is deterring criminal networks. While the operations have drawn mixed reactions, CCD maintains that such measures are essential for restoring public safety.
