‘Please forgive us, Yogi ji’: Criminals pledge to reform, quit crime under police rehabilitation initiative in Ghaziabad

GHAZIABAD: Nearly 150 people with criminal records in Ghaziabad on Tuesday vowed to abandon a life of crime under a police rehabilitation initiative.The programme was part of a rehabilitation initiative in which young and middle-aged men raised hands to take a pledge and held posters seeking forgiveness from chief minister Yogi Adityanath."We take an oath that we will never commit any crime in the future or indulge in any wrong activity," they collectively vowed.Several participants held posters addressed to the CM, assuring him that they would not return to illegal activities and seeking forgiveness, news agency PTI reported. "Chief minister Yogi Adityanath ji, we will not commit crimes in the future. Please forgive us," read many of the placards.Deputy commissioner of police (Trans-Hindon) Dhaval Jaiswal said the exercise was part of a verification drive being carried out across Ghaziabad under "Operation Clean Sweep"."All persons who are criminals, have previous complaints against them or have a history of such activities are being verified. Their residence, movements and present activities are being recorded," he informed.He added that the database of such individuals was also being integrated into the police system to help monitor their future activities. "Verification plays an important role in reducing crime. If any crime takes place, it helps in quickly identifying those involved," he added further.