By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Reports have gone to the Election Commission of India about a certain high-ranking police official collecting money from suppliers in the Police Department, ostensibly on behalf of a senior Cabinet Minister and other Congress candidates in the fray for the February 23 election.
Sources in the Government informed that even the Director General of Audit (Central Expenditure) is aware of this and is taking serious note of the issue.
It is learnt that police manning the highways have been ordered by their higher-ups to collect money from trucks carrying coal and cement and passing through the various toll gates particularly in Garo Hills. Sources have informed this scribe that this money will be used to fund the polls. Sources have also stated that certain NGOs close to the present police establishment have been placated by allowing them to dictate the transfer and posting of policemen close to the NGOs.
Sources say that all these developments have taken place after the recent take-over of the top post by the new DGP.
It is learnt that the ECI is keeping a keen watch on the developments and that those managing the elections in the State have also been alerted.
Meanwhile, top police officials are tight-lipped about this issue and have refused to comment.
The complaint to the ECI apparently went from some private sources.