By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Continuing their seizure spree ahead of the February 23 polls in the State, the flying squad and static surveillance team on Friday seized a sum of Rs 2.12 lakh along with 89 NPP flags and 92 leaflets from Cornelius Nongbri, the NPP candidate from 35-Ranikor constituency.
The items were seized by the team during the vehicle checking conducted by police at Phlangwanbroi under Mawsynram police station.
In another case, Rs 1.31 lakh along with a UDP flag was seized from the vehicle (ML 05 H 2432) of one Ksanstar alias Kramstar Mawlong from Lumshyiap under Pynthorumkhrah constituency.
It may be mentioned that cash amounting to lakhs of rupees have been seized by the election surveillance team suspected to belong to various parties.
Commenting on this, Chief Electoral Officer P Naik said here on Friday that the use of money power during the election process can only be eradicated through cooperation between the government, public and the various political parties.
Admitting that the seized amount this year is relatively more compared to the last elections, Naik reiterated that “Without the taker (public), there will be no giver.”
Stating that the public are equally responsible for fuelling the trend, Naik said “Unless people come out openly and report such incidents it’s difficult to counter it totally.”
Naik also informed that enquiry would be initiated as per the relevant IPC to ascertain the real intentions behind carrying huge sums of money by individuals.