Chandigarh, Nov 14 (IANS): Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal Friday warned police officials in the state that any kind of indiscipline in the police department would not be tolerated.

"If any official is found absent from the police station during duty hours, the concerned SSP (senior superintendent of police) would be held responsible," Badal said.

"I would then take action against the SSP and not some lower-rank official," Badal told media near Ludhiana, 120 km from here.

Badal had Thursday night taken a round of Mohali in a private car and found that no police official was present on duty at traffic lights as well as prominent roundabouts of the city.

"When I went to the police station, only the Munshi was present while the other staff was missing. From now on, I warn all the police officials that they should perform their duties with utmost devotion, else I would take strict action against them," Badal said.

Badal asked all other ministers to hold surprise checks in offices under them in a similar manner.