Chandigarh, March 4 (IANS): The Punjab government on Wednesday claimed that the state had become the first in the country to establish a Bureau of Investigation (BoI) bringing all investigation staff of different units under a unified command.

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal launched the initiative at the Punjab Police headquarters here on Wednesday.

With the BoI, the investigation functions of the Punjab Police have been separated from law and order duties.

Badal, flanked by Director General of Police (DGP) Sumedh Singh Saini, said the new wing would be responsible for all investigation work -- from police station level to district level to the state headquarters.

"Separate staff has been earmarked for investigations at all three levels," Badal told media persons, adding that the new wing would ensure professional and time-bound investigations.

He said the staff of this specialised wing will not be diverted for any other purpose.

Badal said the BoI would initially have 7,772 personnel on its rolls.

The BoI will be headed by a director, of additional Director General of Police rank.

DGP Saini said the new investigation wing will get all facilities and technology to ensure proper investigation.

He said the wing would also be equipped with mobile forensic evidence collection units, regional FSLs (forensic science labs), modern cyber crime unit, and modern interview rooms as well as modern women police stations in all districts.