The Punjab government has finalized a new law aimed at cracking down on gang activity, hooliganism, and habitual offenders, replacing the decades-old Ghunda Act 1959 with stricter and more comprehensive legislation.
Under the proposed law, repeat offenders will be declared “anti-social persons,” while District Intelligence Committees will be empowered to identify and officially declare suspected individuals involved in criminal activities.
The draft legislation proposes prison terms ranging from three to five years for offenders. Repeat violators could face up to seven years in jail along with fines of up to Rs2 million.
The law will also grant authorities powers to freeze bank accounts and block national identity cards of individuals declared involved in anti-social or gang-related activities.
Officials have also proposed granting police enhanced electronic monitoring and modern surveillance powers to improve crime prevention and enforcement efforts.
The scope of the new law includes aerial firing, public display of weapons, land-grabbing offences, cybercrime, and harassment cases.
The Punjab cabinet has already approved the proposed legislation, which is expected to be presented in the Punjab Assembly in the coming days.
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