How “Shock Wae Policy” controlled misuse of fire arms and gang rivalry in North East Delhi

With the conceptualization of “shock wave policy” by the North East district police and its effective execution at ground level, the district has achieved success in containing the incidents of use of firearms and gang rivalry.

Due to its geographical meets & bounds, socio-economic peculiarities and diverse populace composition, North-East District has different characteristics as compared to any other district in Delhi. From a law & order and crime point of view, this district has always been a challenge for the police. Over the years, it has been in light for wrong reasons i.e. gang wars and firing incidents.

”As per directions of Worthy Commissioner of Police, Delhi, a proactive strategy for prevention of crime has been adopted by Delhi Police. Therefore, there was a need for a pragmatic and strategic approach to counter threats of Gangwar, as some known gangs i.e. Chhenu@ Irfan, Hashim Baba, Wasim Fauzi, Nasir, Tauta etc. had their major influence in the area,” Sanjay Kumar Sain, DCP, North-East Delhi, said.

”After study of crime pattern and contributing factors, specific strategies were adopted for specific crimes under the umbrella of Operation “Ankush”. One of those strategies was the “Shock Wave Policy” to neutralize/erase the influence of gangs and gangsters in the district,” Sain said.

As it reflects from its name, “SHOCK WAVE POLICY” is a comprehensive policy to deal with gangs and gangsters and to create deterrence among them and their members, sympathizers etc. and to create a sense of belief among the public towards their safety & security.

It is a proactive approach of policing having a combination of:

A Pragmatic and strategic approach to break supply chains of Gangs Concerted efforts to neutralize their influence from the area

Strict surveillance over suspected people through basic policing measures with appropriate technological intervention

In-depth investigation of criminal incidents- Efforts to reach up to conspirators, harbourers/sympathizers, arms suppliers etc.

Close watch over the activities of known members of these gangs, their aides, supporters, harbourers etc. through technical and human intelligence.

Zero tolerance towards incidents involving the use of firearms.

Close watch over the people who used to visit known gangsters in jail

The essence of the policy measures lies in the following facts

• All known Gangsters are in Jail

• No gang rivalry is reported in the last 8 months

• Influence of gangs and their fascination with youths is almost erased

• Significant decrease in firing incidents

After analyzing, a certain pattern was observed that known gangsters/main members of the gangs used to arrange newcomers/youths having some fascination to the criminal world, for settling their scores with their rivals. Therefore, an in-depth investigation of all heinous crimes particularly murder and attempt to murder was ensured to arrest killers, conspirators, arms suppliers and harbourers/sympathizers for an emphatic message to the criminals.

During the year 2021, a total of 428 people were arrested under the Arms Act. And, in different cases, 47 Pistols, 162 CMP, 378 live Cartridges, 7 Magazines were recovered.

The objective was to break the supply chain of firearms, particularly the people supplying Arms & Ammunition to the known criminals. In that direction, a big success was achieved in the month of November 2021, when 04 arms suppliers, closely associated with the Chhenu Gang were arrested.

The commitment of district police to erase the influence of criminals is evident of the fact that on four(4) different occasions, police and criminals came face to face and on each occasion, the brave policemen, following all directives and standard practices, were successful to neutralize them. In these operations, our two brave officers received bullet injuries.

The well-directed approach aiming to deal with gangs & gangsters, its conversion in the name of “Shock Wave Policy” and a series of intensive operations bore encouraging results as more than 40 members of different gangs were arrested in around 20 different cases during the year 2021. In these 34, there were several youngsters who associated with the gangs because of their fascination with gangs.