MUMBAI: After committing to the entertainment industry recently, the Punjab government has now constituted a state-level anti piracy cell to check and take action against audio and video piracy.

Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said that the police have been given directions to launch state-wide raids including searches & seizures against those involved in piracy.

In order to ensure that the accused in not released on bail, Badal has communicated to the police to file a charge sheet within a stipulated time.

Besides the IG Crime, DIG Crime and Gazetted Officers of the Crime Wing, the Anti-Piracy cell will also have a law officer to provide legal assistance to the department and representatives of the Audio / Video industry will also be associated with the cell as non-official members.

"The menace of piracy is killing the entertainment industry besides encouraging unauthorized activities. The Punjab police have been receiving a large number of complaints from genuine manufacturers and producers of audio – video cassettes, CDs and other such goods regarding large scale unauthorized copying and sale of this material by certain unscrupulous and anti-social elements. Such unlawful activities also affect the social and cultural fiber of the State apart from harming the economic and intellectual rights of the manufacturers, producers and artists," Badal said.