Cash, Liquor, Drugs Worth Rs 95 Crore Seized During Lok Sabha Polls in J&K
Srinagar, May 26: Election authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have seized approximately Rs 95 crore worth of cash, liquor, and other items intended to influence voters during the Lok Sabha elections for five seats in the Union Territory. The massive seizures underscore the authorities’ efforts to ensure fair and free elections.
The polling concluded on Saturday with the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency casting their votes. The elections in Jammu and Kashmir saw unprecedented voter turnout in the three constituencies of Kashmir, breaking decades-old records.
Despite the high voter engagement, officials reported that some candidates attempted to sway voters through the distribution of money, liquor, and other freebies. These illegal activities were met with stringent enforcement measures by the election authorities.
“Since the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections, material and cash amounting to a total of Rs 94.797 crore have been seized,” officials stated. This substantial seizure indicates the scale of efforts to manipulate the electoral process.
The police played a pivotal role in these operations, accounting for the majority of the seizures with a total of Rs 90.83 crore confiscated. Other enforcement departments also made significant contributions to the crackdown on illicit activities.
In detail, the police department seized items worth Rs 90.831 crore, the Income Tax department seized Rs 42 lakh, the excise department confiscated items worth Rs 1.01 crore, and the Narcotics Control Bureau seized drugs valued at Rs 2.32 crore. These efforts highlight the comprehensive approach taken to curb electoral malpractices.
To ensure fairness, authorities acted against over 40 government employees who allegedly violated the Model Code of Conduct. This action was part of broader efforts to maintain integrity in the electoral process.
The election authorities received 143 grievances through the CVIGIL app, resolving over 80 of them, with the remaining complaints under review. This app served as a crucial tool for monitoring and addressing election-related issues.
For enhanced oversight, election authorities established command and control rooms in Jammu and Srinagar. These rooms monitored electronic media channels, social media platforms, and provided live feeds from polling stations. The setup ensured round-the-clock vigilance, detecting and reporting any violations of the Model Code of Conduct promptly.
