Panchkula,
April 30, 2019
Illicit liquor, narcotics, unaccounted money and other inducements worth over Rs 18.43 Crore has been seized across the state so far by the Haryana Police, flying squads and state surveillance teams, which are strictly monitoring the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct ahead of Lok Sabha polls in the state.
This was informed by Haryana Director General of Police (DGP), Manoj Yadava on Tuesday.
The top cop said that the state police has been taking strict measures to check the illegal flow of money, liquor and drugs ahead of elections. Elaborate arrangements have been put in place to ensure free and fair elections so that public come to polling booths and exercise their franchise without any fear. State Police Force has a immense experience in conducting the electoral process and this year also we are making all-out efforts to conduct the election in a peaceful and incident-free environment.
Enumerating about the progressive seizure report, Additional DGP, Law and Order, Navdeep Singh Virk said that a total of 3,15,625 litres of liquor comprising Indian Made Foreign Liquor, beer and country made liquor with a value of over Rs 5.07 Crore has been seized since parliamentary election schedule was announced by the Election Commission.
As a result of tight vigil which is being maintained across the state especially in bordering areas, Virk said that Police teams in Haryana have seized drugs or narcotics of more than Rs 9.12 Crore. Similarly, unaccounted cash worth over Rs 3.11 Crore have also been seized from different parts in the state. It has also seized precious metals worth around Rs 1.12 Crore and freebies (gold/silver/ornaments) of Rs 33,000 since March 10 when the Model Code of Conduct came into force.
The ADGP said that as many as 1,08,364 licence holders of arms have deposited their weapons with the police in view of the Lok Sabha polls to be held on May 12 in the state.
“We have also seized 472 unlicensed arms, 727 cartridges and 98 explosives during this period”, Virk added.
The official further informed that in view of ensuing general election, Haryana Additional Chief Secretary, Home SS Prasad and DGP Manoj Yadava would jointly hold a video conference for reviewing the poll preparedness with the police officers of the ranks of SP and above on May 2.
Virk said that apart from the maintenance of law and order, keeping a strong vigil on suspicious and anti-social elements in the state would also be discussed with the district police chiefs and other senior officers during the conference.
He said that others issues to be discussed include coordination between various government departments and police for smooth conduct of elections, precautionary and preparatory measures for VVIP or VIP security during elections, implementation of model code of conduct, arrangement of safe storage and security of EVMs especially after polling till counting, sealing of interstate borders etc.