Patna, Sept. 21: Chief minister Nitish Kumar today directed the police to crack down against highway robberies, loot at petrol pumps, and crimes on travellers.

He also issued extensive guidelines for district superintendents of police to take appropriate action to prevent such incidents from recurring. Failing to do so will attract punishment and proceedings against errant officials as the police headquarters will closely monitor the crime graph at the police station level.

Nitish's orders came at a six-hour closes-door law and order review in the presence of senior officials including chief secretary Anjani Kumar Singh, home department principal secretary Amir Subhani, director-general of police (DGP) P.K. Thakur and others.

'The chief minister has directed the police to identify and apprehend the gangs involved in road robberies, dacoities, petrol pump loot incidents and crime committed on people who are travelling or commuting,' Subhani said after the meeting.

The chief minister also called for special vigil as immersion of Durga idols and Muharram processions will be on the same day this year.

No religious procession will be allowed without license from the administration. The organisers will have to apply for the licence and file information about its route, number of people and other required information.

Nitish also sought to know at the meeting about action against people who are sending liquor to Bihar from other states. He was told that 48 such big mafia members have been identified and action is being taken to nab them. So far, the state has seen 105 big catches involving huge 'container trucks' laden with liquor bottles. The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) is investigating them.

DGP Thakur said the review meeting saw vast discussions on 'systemic improvement to curb crime, and (better implementation of) police helpline'.

Additional director-general of police (headquarters) S.K. Singhal said Nitish compared data on crime in the state from January to August this year with the same period last year.

'It was pointed out that enough rules and regulations are there, but their implementation is weak. Marginal increase in riots, property and body related offences, including murder, has been noticed,' Singhal said. 'However, motorcycle checking campaign being conducted across the state over the last three months has produced results and the crime graph has started to show a declining trend.'